Which statement about ions is true?

Study for the Georgia High School Physical Science Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, detailed hints and explanations included. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which statement about ions is true?

Explanation:
Ions are charged particles. They form when an atom or molecule gains or loses electrons, so the total number of protons and electrons isn’t the same. Losing electrons leaves the particle with more protons than electrons, giving a positive charge; gaining electrons adds negative charges, giving a negative charge. For example, sodium can lose an electron to become a positively charged ion, while chlorine can gain an electron to become a negatively charged ion. That’s why an ion has a net electric charge. The idea that an ion has no net charge would describe a neutral atom or molecule, and a free neutron is not an ion because it carries no electric charge.

Ions are charged particles. They form when an atom or molecule gains or loses electrons, so the total number of protons and electrons isn’t the same. Losing electrons leaves the particle with more protons than electrons, giving a positive charge; gaining electrons adds negative charges, giving a negative charge. For example, sodium can lose an electron to become a positively charged ion, while chlorine can gain an electron to become a negatively charged ion. That’s why an ion has a net electric charge. The idea that an ion has no net charge would describe a neutral atom or molecule, and a free neutron is not an ion because it carries no electric charge.

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