The conventional way of writing the symbol for an ion of calcium is A) calcium-18. B) Ar. C) Ca^-18. D) Ca²⁺. E) Ca₂₊.

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The correct way to represent an ion of calcium, particularly in a notation that includes subshell electron configuration, is option D. This notation indicates a calcium ion with a positive charge (implying it has lost electrons to become a cation) and details the electron configuration in its subshells. The conventional symbol for calcium is "Ca," and when it loses electrons to form a cation (commonly Ca^2+), it does not use a notation like "calcium-18" or symbols for other elements like "Ar" (argon). The specific notation in D, although complex, correctly implies a structured electron configuration for a calcium ion.

The Conventional Way of Writing the Symbol for an Ion