The isotope of an unknown element, X, has a mass number of...

The isotope of an unknown element, $\mathrm{X}$, has a mass number of 79 . The most stable ion of the isotope has 36 electrons and forms a binary compound with sodium having a formula of $\mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{X}$. Which of the following statements is(are) true? For the false statements, correct them. a. The binary compound formed between $\mathrm{X}$ and fluorine will be a covalent compound. b. The isotope of $X$ contains 38 protons. c. The isotope of $X$ contains 41 neutrons. d. The identity of $X$ is strontium, $S r$.

The isotope of an unknown element, $\mathrm{X}$, has a mass number of 79 . The most stable ion of the isotope has 36 electrons and forms a binary compound with sodium having a formula of $\mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{X}$. Which of the following statements is(are) true? For the false statements, correct them.
a. The binary compound formed between $\mathrm{X}$ and fluorine will be a covalent compound.
b. The isotope of $X$ contains 38 protons.
c. The isotope of $X$ contains 41 neutrons.
d. The identity of $X$ is strontium, $S r$.

Key Concepts

Binary Ionic Compound Formation

Binary ionic compounds consist of two elements, typically a metal and a nonmetal, that combine in a ratio that balances their ionic charges to achieve electrical neutrality. Determining the stoichiometry involves knowing the oxidation states of the ions involved and ensuring that the total positive and negative charges cancel out.

Ionic vs Covalent Bonding

Ionic bonding occurs when there is an electrostatic attraction between ions with opposite charges, typically between metals and nonmetals, while covalent bonding involves the sharing of electrons between atoms. The nature of the bond formed in a compound depends on the difference in electronegativity between the constituent elements.

Ion Formation and Stability

Ion formation involves the loss or gain of electrons by an atom in order to reach a stable electron configuration, often resembling that of a noble gas. When an atom forms an ion, the resultant change in electron count is a key indicator of its oxidation state, which in turn influences its chemical reactivity and the types of compounds it forms.

Atomic Number and Electron Count

The atomic number of an element is the number of protons in its nucleus and, in a neutral atom, equals the number of electrons. Changes in electron count, such as in the formation of ions, are directly related to how an element achieves a more stable, lower energy electron configuration.

Isotopes and Mass Number

Isotopes are variants of a chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. The mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, and knowing it helps determine the neutron count when the atomic number is known.

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