What does this question mean? Determine the period 3 element that produces each of the following ions.?

Question

1.x3-
2.x1+
3.x2+
4.x-

Answer 1

it means work out which element can:
- Lose 1 or 2 electrons
- Gain 1 or 3 electrons

and make a chemical molecule with it

Have a look on the periodic table (see the wiki page)

and look at the 3rd horizontal row (Na - Ar) and find yourself the element that can do this. There is one element that can make all of the above ions. It is a soft metal, very malleable and ductile and used in many construction industries including aerospace for it's lightness and strength.

Answer 2

It means what element found in period 3 (horizontal row 3) has the ability to form ions with the following charges: 3-, 1+, 2+, and 1-

Answer 3

Look at period 3 on the periodic table and see which element fits each description.

For example, your element #4 would be chlorine. It is in period 3 and forms an ion with a -1 charge.

You can do the rest, its not difficult.