1.6.1 Formation of Ions
Formation of Ions
- An ion is anelectricallychargedatom or group of atoms formed by thelossorgainofelectrons
- This loss or gain of electrons takes place to obtain afulloutershellof electrons
- The electronic structure of ions of elements in groups 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 will be the same as that of a noble gas - such as helium, neon, and argon
- Negative ions are calledanionsand form when atomsgainelectrons, meaning they have more electrons than protons
- Positive ions are calledcationsand form when atomsloseelectrons, meaning they have more protons than electrons
- All metalsloseelectrons to other atoms to become positively charged ions
- All non-metalsgainelectrons from other atoms to become negatively charged ions
迪agram showing the formation of the sodium ion
迪agram showing the formation of the chloride ion
Exam Tip
The number of electrons that an atom gains or loses is the same as the charge.
For example, if a magnesium atom loses 2 electrons, then the charge will be 2+, if a bromine atom gains 1 electron then the charge will be 1-.
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