Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Is this a mistake in the chemistry book I'm reading? In the end-of-chapter2 questions it asks: How many valence electrons are in Ra+ ? Radium is in the second period of the periodic table, so if it gives up one of its 2 valence electrons, it should only have 1 left. Right? The answer in the back of the book says 32, but I think it should be 1. Which is the correct answer? I'm not a student, so this is not a homework question.

Hello Pict,

The Ask the Expert forums are for students in grades K-12 (and their teachers and parents) who are doing hands-on science projects. There are other sites on the internet where your questions are more appropriate.

Thank you.
Madeline
Moderator