An ion is created when an atom has a different number of electrons than protons, resulting in a net charge.

• A. An Atom with the Same Number of Electrons and Protons
• B. An Ion Is Created When An Atom Has A Different Number Of Electrons Than Protons, Resulting In A Net Charge
• C. A Neutral Atom
• D. A Molecule With Two Atoms

Answer: (B)

An ion forms when the number of electrons around an atom doesn’t match the number of protons in the nucleus, creating a net electric charge. Protons are positively charged, electrons are negatively charged, and neutrons don’t affect the charge. If an atom loses electrons, there are more protons than electrons, giving a positive charge. If it gains electrons, there are more electrons than protons, giving a negative charge. For example, a sodium atom can lose an electron to become positively charged (Na⁺), while a chlorine atom can gain an electron to become negatively charged (Cl⁻). A neutral atom has equal numbers of electrons and protons, so it isn’t an ion. A diatomic molecule is just two atoms bound together and isn’t defined by having a net charge unless it also has an imbalance of electrons and protons.