Elements in period 3 of the periodic table form ions with a charge of:

Question

1. +3
2. -3
3. +2
4. +1
5. None of the above

Answer 1

Are you sure the question isn't asking about GROUP 3?

Typical ion charges are determined by the group, not the period. It is the group that has to do with how many valence electrons an atom has.

For example, GROUP 1 elements have 1 valence electron. They lose this electron forming +1 ions and become like the noble gas that precedes them on the periodic table.

If the question is truly referring to PERIOD (row) 3, I would choose either "all of the above" or "none of the above".

Here are the typical ions formed from period 3 elements:

Na -> Na⁺

Mg -> Mg²⁺

Al -> Al³⁺

Si -> Si⁴⁺

P -> P^3-

S -> S^2-

Cl -> Cl^-

Ar -> Ar

Hope this helps! Good luck.

-Amy