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Chemistry help with ions?
I have to questions to correspond with "I can explain what an ion is". Any help would be appreciated!
1) Explain what happen to an atom of an element when a positive ion is formed. You may use an element example in your explanation.
2) Explain what happen to an atom of an element when a negative ion is formed. You may use an element example in your explanation.
2 Answers
- 9 years ago
1) When a positive Ion is formed, it LOSES one or more electrons causing the charge to become POSITIVE. If Li (atomic mass 7, 3 electrons, 3 protons, 4 neutrons) loses one electron, the negative charge of that electron is now gone. 3 protons and 2 electrons yields a charge of +1. Its atomic radius will decrease and in this case, the octet rule is satisfied for Li (not all element!).
2) on the flip side, if that same Li GAINS one or more electrons, it will get a NEGATIVE charge and its atomic radius will increase. (3 protons and 4 electrons -1 charge)
Source(s): 3 years of chem (one college course so far) - 9 years ago
When an ion is formed, it means that the net charge of the atom has changed. The net charge of an atom only changes through gain or loss of electrons. Thus a positive ion is formed when it has lost an electron(s). A negative ion is formed when it gains an extra electron(s).
