How many electrons are in a rubidium ion (Rb+)?

The atomic number of a Rubidium atom is 37. If the substance is neutral which means that the charge is zero, the substance would have 37 electrons. Knowing that the charge is positive for Rubidium ion, this means that one electron has been lost. The answer is therefore, 36.

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ysabayomi ysabayomi · Answer 2 · 2020-01-29T12:23:19+01:00

Answer:

36

Explanation:

Atoms of elements try to become stable by either donating/losing or accepting/gaining electron(s). When they lose electron(s), they become positively charged (cation) and when they accept/gain electron(s), they become negatively charged. The number attached to these charges show the number of electron(s) that has been gained or lost.

Rubidium atom (Rb) has 37 electron because its atomic number is 37. Although, atomic number is the number of protons but the number of proton in an atom is equal to the number of electron.

Rubidium ion (Rb+) has 36 electrons because the positive shows that Rubidium atom has lost an electron to become a cation.

NOTE: When no number is attached to a charge, the number is one (but it is usually not written).