Question

An atom that has an electrical charge due to having a number of electrons unequal to the number of protons is considered a(n)... A. Isotope B. Ion C. Element D. Molecule E. Acid

Short answer

B. Ion

Step-by-step solution

- Understanding the Problem

Identify what it means for an atom to have an electrical charge. An atom has an electrical charge if it has a different number of electrons compared to protons.

- Analyzing the Options

Review the definitions of each option: A. Isotope - Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. B. Ion - An atom with an unequal number of protons and electrons, giving it a charge. C. Element - A substance consisting of atoms with the same number of protons. D. Molecule - A group of atoms bonded together. E. Acid - A substance that can donate a proton (H+) in a reaction.

- Matching the Definition

Determine which option matches the definition of an atom with an unequal number of electrons and protons. The correct match is an ion, as an ion is defined by having an unequal number of protons and electrons.

Key concepts

atom

An atom is the basic building block of matter. It consists of three main parts: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Each of these subatomic particles plays a different role.

• Protons: Positively charged particles found in the nucleus.
• Neutrons: Neutral particles that are also located in the nucleus.
• Electrons: Negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus.

The nucleus, which is the center of the atom, is composed of protons and neutrons. Electrons orbit around this nucleus. An element's identity is determined by the number of protons, also known as the atomic number.

electrical charge

Electrical charge is a physical property of matter that causes it to experience a force when placed in an electromagnetic field. Atoms can have electrical charges depending on the balance of protons and electrons.

• Positive Charge: Occurs when there are more protons than electrons.
• Negative Charge: Occurs when there are more electrons than protons.

When an atom has an equal number of protons and electrons, it is electrically neutral. An imbalance between protons and electrons creates an ion, which can be either positively or negatively charged depending on which particle is in excess.

protons and electrons

Protons and electrons are fundamental to understanding the behavior of atoms and ions.

• Protons: Have a positive charge (+1) and are located in the nucleus. The number of protons determines the element's atomic number and, consequently, its identity.
• Electrons: Have a negative charge (-1) and orbit the nucleus. They are involved in chemical bonding and reactions.

When an atom loses or gains electrons, it becomes an ion. If it loses electrons, it becomes a positively charged ion (cation). If it gains electrons, it becomes a negatively charged ion (anion). Understanding the balance between protons and electrons helps explain the electrical charge of an atom.