Ions

Question 1

What are ions?

Answer 1

an atom or molecule with a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons.

Question 2

How do atoms form ions?

Answer 2

They lose or gain electrons to get a full outer shell so they have a stable electronic structure.

Question 3

What is an anion?

Answer 3

A negative ion that forms when atoms gain electrons

Question 4

What is a cation?

Answer 4

A positive ion that forms when atoms lose electrons

Question 5

How is the charge shown on an ion?

Answer 5

The number of electrons lost or gained is the same as the charge on the ion. Eg if 2 electrons are lost the charge is 2+. If 2 electrons are gained the charge is 2-

Question 6

Which groups of the periodic table are most likely to form ions?

Answer 6

Group 1 + 2 are metals that lose electrons to form positive ions.
Group 6 + 7 are non metals that gain electrons to form negative ions

Question 7

What is the overall charge of any ionic compound?

Answer 7

Zero so all the negative charges in the compound must balance all the positive charges.