* Aluminum Ion: Aluminum (Al) forms a +3 ion (Al³⁺).
* Hydroxide Ion: Hydroxide (OH) has a -1 charge (OH⁻).
To create a neutral compound, the positive and negative charges must balance. We need three hydroxide ions (3 x -1 = -3) to balance the +3 charge of the aluminum ion.
Therefore, three hydroxide ions (OH⁻) are needed to form a neutral ionic compound with an aluminum ion (Al³⁺).
This compound is called aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)₃).
