What defines an ion?

What defines an ion?

• A. An atom with a neutral charge
• B. An atom that has gained or lost neutrons
• C. An atom that has gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net charge
• D. An atom with an equal number of protons and electrons

Answer: (C)

An ion is defined as an atom that has gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net charge. This occurs because electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom, which is made up of protons (positively charged) and neutrons (neutral). When an atom loses electrons, it becomes positively charged and is known as a cation. Conversely, when it gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged and is termed an anion. The imbalance between the number of protons and electrons leads to the overall charge of the ion, differentiating it from a neutral atom, which has an equal number of these particles. The other choices do not accurately define an ion: a neutral charge refers specifically to atoms without any surplus or deficit of electrons, and losing or gaining neutrons affects atomic mass but not charge. An equal number of protons and electrons describes a neutral atom, not an ion.

An ion is defined as an atom that has gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net charge. This occurs because electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom, which is made up of protons (positively charged) and neutrons (neutral). When an atom loses electrons, it becomes positively charged and is known as a cation. Conversely, when it gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged and is termed an anion. The imbalance between the number of protons and electrons leads to the overall charge of the ion, differentiating it from a neutral atom, which has an equal number of these particles.

The other choices do not accurately define an ion: a neutral charge refers specifically to atoms without any surplus or deficit of electrons, and losing or gaining neutrons affects atomic mass but not charge. An equal number of protons and electrons describes a neutral atom, not an ion.