When an atom loses one or more electrons during ionic bonding, it forms a charged particle. A student is asked to name this type of particle. What is the co...
Question 1 Report
When an atom loses one or more electrons during ionic bonding, it forms a charged particle. A student is asked to name this type of particle. What is the correct name for a positively charged ion formed when an atom loses electrons?
Answer Details
An ion is an atom that has gained or lost electrons. Losing electrons removes negative charge while the number of protons stays the same, so the particle is left with more protons than electrons and is positively charged. A positive ion is called a cation, and during electrolysis it travels to the cathode, the negative electrode, which is a useful way to remember the name.
An anion is the opposite, formed when an atom gains electrons and so becomes negative.
An isotope is an atom of the same element with a different number of neutrons, and since neutrons are uncharged this does not make an ion. A molecule is a neutral group of atoms joined by covalent bonds, so it carries no charge either.
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