Textbook Problem 2A.15

[Natalie Gibson 1c]

Hi! For this problem we were asked to find the most likely charge of ions formed by different atoms, one of which was Ga. While I thought it would be +1 because if Ga lost an electron it would become more stable with a complete d-orbital 3d10, the answer key says +3. Is anyone able to help me understand why this would be?

[Gabriel Wolf 3I]

Since Ga is group 3, it would want to lose 3 electrons to get to a lewis gas configuration. I am pretty sure that it would not just lose 1 because the noble gas configuration is far more stable than [Ar]4s2.

[Kelly Bui 2I]

Normally:
Group 1 = +1
Group 2 = +2
Group 13 = +3
Group 15 = -3
Group 16 = -2
Group 17 = -1

[Gabriel Wolf 3I]

Adding onto that, group 14 can be + or - 4 depending on the context.