Question

Neutral atoms of $F$ (fluorine) have the same number of electrons as:

• A. $B^{3-}$
• B. $N^{+}$
• C. $N{e}^{-}$
• D. $N{a}^{-}$
• E. $M{g}^{3+}$

Answer 1

Answer: (E)

Neutral atoms of F (fluorine) have the same number of electrons as $M{g}^{3+}$. These are isoelectronic species and contains 9 electrons each.

Fluorine with atomic number 9 has 9 electrons.

Mg with atomic number 12 has 12 electrons. It loses 3 electrons to form $M{g}^{3+}$ with 9 electrons.

$B^{3-}$ with atomic number 5 has 8 electrons.

$N^{+}$ with atomic number 7 has 6 electrons.

$N{e}^{-}$ with atomic number 10 has 11 electrons.

$N{a}^{-}$ with atomic number 11 has 12 electrons.

Hence, option $E$ is correct.