Question 1

Paper 2Medium6 marks

Aluminium oxide is a hard material used in abrasive surfaces. An aluminium atom has electron configuration 2,8,3, and an oxygen atom has electron configuration 2,6. In forming ions in this compound, each atom attains a full outer energy level.

(a)

Deduce the ion formed by an aluminium atom, stating the number of electrons transferred.

[2]
(b)

Deduce the ion formed by an oxygen atom, stating the number of electrons transferred.

[2]
(c)

Use your answers to (a) and (b) to determine the simplest formula of aluminium oxide. Show how the charges determine the ratio of ions.

[2]

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