Which of the following sets of particles represents an ion?
19 protons, 20 neutrons, and 19 electrons
B 20 protons, 19 neutrons, and 20 electrons
19 protons, 19 neutrons, and 19 electrons
D19 protons, 19 neutrons, and 18 electrons



Answer :

To determine which set of particles represents an ion, we'll need to check if there is an unequal number of protons and electrons. An ion is defined as a charged particle that has either lost or gained electrons compared to the number of protons.

Let's analyze each set one by one:

1. Set A: 19 protons, 20 neutrons, and 19 electrons
- Protons: 19
- Electrons: 19
- Neutrons: 20

The charge is calculated by subtracting the number of electrons from the number of protons:
[tex]\[ \text{Charge} = 19 - 19 = 0 \][/tex]
Since the charge is zero, Set A is neutral and is not an ion.

2. Set B: 20 protons, 19 neutrons, and 20 electrons
- Protons: 20
- Electrons: 20
- Neutrons: 19

The charge is calculated by subtracting the number of electrons from the number of protons:
[tex]\[ \text{Charge} = 20 - 20 = 0 \][/tex]
Since the charge is zero, Set B is neutral and is not an ion.

3. Set C: 19 protons, 19 neutrons, and 19 electrons
- Protons: 19
- Electrons: 19
- Neutrons: 19

The charge is calculated by subtracting the number of electrons from the number of protons:
[tex]\[ \text{Charge} = 19 - 19 = 0 \][/tex]
Since the charge is zero, Set C is neutral and is not an ion.

4. Set D: 19 protons, 19 neutrons, and 18 electrons
- Protons: 19
- Electrons: 18
- Neutrons: 19

The charge is calculated by subtracting the number of electrons from the number of protons:
[tex]\[ \text{Charge} = 19 - 18 = 1 \][/tex]
Since the charge is not zero (the particle has a positive charge), Set D is an ion.

Conclusively, the set of particles that represents an ion is:
D: 19 protons, 19 neutrons, and 18 electrons.