Atoms vs. Ions

Front

What is an atom?

Back

An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element. It consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.

Front

What is an ion?

Back

An ion is an atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net electrical charge.

Front

What charge do metal ions typically have?

Back

Metal ions typically have a positive charge.

Front

What happens to the charge of an ion when it loses electrons?

Back

When an ion loses electrons, it becomes positively charged.

Front

What charge do elements in group 1 of the periodic table have?

Back

Elements in group 1 have a charge of +1.

Front

What charge do elements in group 13 of the periodic table have?

Back

Elements in group 13 typically have a charge of +3.

Front

What charge does iodine typically have as an ion?

Back

Iodine typically has a charge of -1 as an ion.

Front

What is the difference between cations and anions?

Back

Cations are positively charged ions (formed by losing electrons), while anions are negatively charged ions (formed by gaining electrons).

Front

How do you determine the charge of a simple ion?

Back

The charge of a simple ion can be determined by the number of electrons lost or gained compared to the neutral atom.

Front

What is the significance of the octet rule in ion formation?

Back

The octet rule states that atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a full outer shell of eight electrons, leading to the formation of ions.