Ions are atoms or molecules that have acquired a net electrical charge by gaining or losing one or more electrons.
When an atom has an equal number of protons (positive charges) and electrons (negative charges), it is electrically neutral. An imbalance in these subatomic particles turns it into an ion:
Cations: Positively charged ions formed when an atom loses one or more electrons (e.g., Sodium: ).
Anions: Negatively charged ions formed when an atom gains one or more electrons (e.g., Chloride: ).
Would you like to explore ionic bonding, polyatomic ions, or how ions behave in chemical reactions?