Isoelectronic species are atoms or ions that contain the same number of electrons.
- Analyze Beryllium ion (Be2+): Beryllium has atomic number Z=4. The +2 charge indicates the loss of 2 electrons. Therefore, the number of electrons in Be2+ is 4−2=2 electrons.
- Analyze the options:
H+ (Protium ion, Z=1): 1−1=0 electrons. Li+ (Lithium ion, Z=3): 3−1=2 electrons.
Na+ (Sodium ion, Z=11): 11−1=10 electrons. Mg2+ (Magnesium ion, Z=12): 12−2=10 electrons.
Since Li+ contains 2 electrons, it is isoelectronic with Be2+ (both having the stable duplet configuration of Helium, 1s2).