Question

If an atom gains an electron to become an ion, what kind of electrical charge does the ion have?

Short answer

The ion has a negative electrical charge and is called an anion.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding electron gain

Gaining an electron means that an atom receives an additional electron. Electrons have a negative charge, so when an atom gains one, its overall charge becomes more negative.

Determining the resulting charge

If an atom starts as neutral (having an equal number of protons and electrons) and gains one or more electrons, the resulting ion will have a negative charge. This is because there are now more electrons than protons. Each electron added contributes a negative charge of 1.

Identifying the type of ion

An ion that has gained electrons and thus has a negative charge is called an anion. Anions are attracted to positive charges, such as positively charged ions (cations) or a positively charged electrode in electrolysis.

Key concepts

Electron Gain

When an atom gains an electron, it's undergoing a fundamental change that affects its electrical charge. Initially, an atom is electrically neutral because the positive charge of its protons balances out the negative charge of its electrons. However, electrons are the part of the atom that can move relatively freely. During electron gain, an atom receives additional electrons which are negatively charged subatomic particles. This results in the atom having more electrons than protons, therefore, its overall charge becomes more negative.

Understanding electron gain is crucial because it determines how atoms will interact with one another. It's noteworthy to know that not all elements have the same tendency to gain electrons; this tendency is quantified by the concept of electron affinity. Elements with a high electron affinity are more likely to gain electrons and form anions. This foundational knowledge of electron gain has important implications in various chemical reactions and processes such as the formation of molecules, and in industrial applications such as corrosion and battery technology.

Anions

Anions are formed when atoms or molecules gain electrons, becoming negatively charged. This is a type of ion, which is simply an atom or molecule that does not have an equal number of protons and electrons, resulting in a net electric charge. Anions, specifically, have more electrons than protons, giving them a net negative charge.

To visualize it, think of anions as the result of atoms receiving extra doses of negative charge. This negative charge is not arbitrary, as it indicates an important aspect of the anion's reactivity and how it will interact in chemical reactions. For example, anions play a vital role in biochemical processes and are essential to the function of batteries, as they conduct electricity when dissolved in a solution. A commonly known anion is the chloride ion (Cl-), which forms when a chlorine atom gains an electron. This process illustrates not only how anions are created but also how they are significant in both our daily lives and industrial applications.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis is an electrochemical process where electrical energy is used to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction. This is typically done by passing an electric current through an electrolyte, a substance that contains free ions and can thus be decomposed. During this process, positive ions (cations) move towards the negatively charged electrode (cathode) to gain electrons (reduction), while negative ions (anions) move towards the positively charged electrode (anode) to lose electrons (oxidation).

The concept of electrolysis is important as it allows for the decomposition of chemical compounds. For instance, the electrolysis of water results in the production of oxygen gas at the anode and hydrogen gas at the cathode. Electrolysis is utilized in various applications, including the extraction and refining of metals, the production of chemicals like chlorine and sodium hydroxide, and in rechargeable batteries where it helps drive the charging process by moving ions to restore the original chemical structure. Comprehending electrolysis can lead to a deeper understanding of energy conversion and material synthesis, which are integral to numerous technological advancements.