Question

A chemical species that contains 11 protons and 10 electrons can be:

• A. 1 only
• B. 4 only
• C. 3 & 4
• D. 2 & 4

Answer 1

The correct option is B

4 only

The explanation for the correct option

(B) 4 only, A monoatomic cation

• A positively charged ion formed by giving electrons to others is called a cation
• The number of electrons will be less than the number of protons
• Only one atom will be present, hence it is monoatomic
• Here 11 protons and 10 electrons are present in it, the number of electrons is lesser than the number of protons

The explanation for the incorrect option

(A) 1 only: An atom is the smallest particle, which contains protons, neutrons, and electrons. The number of protons is equal to the number of electrons, and the number of neutrons may vary.

(C) 3 & 4: 3 is a Polyatomic cation containing more than one atom. It's a positively charged ion.

(D) 2 & 4: 2 is a mono atomic anion, A negatively charged ion formed by gaining electrons from others

Thus option (B), the monoatomic cation is the chemical species that contains 11 protons and 10 electrons