Question

An anion with a net -2 charge has a total of 36 electrons. What element is the anion derived from?

Answer 1

If the net charge is `-2`, there must be 34 positive particles in the nucleus, i.e. `Z` `=` `34`.

Explanation:

If `Z` `=` `34`, then the identity of the element is revealed. If only there were a Table that listed such data!

Answer 2

The element is selenium

Explanation:

Since its charge is -2 it means the atom gained 2 electrons from its reaction. Hence it would originally have 34 electrons and protons. To arrive at such a conclusion of selenium being the element simply consult the periodic table and find the element with atomic number being 34.