Question

Which of the following are electrically charged? A) molecule C) isotope B) solution D) ion

Short answer

D) ion

Step-by-step solution

Define Electrical Charge

Electric charge is a property of subatomic particles that describes the degree to which they will bind or repel each other with electromagnetic force. Objects with electrical charge can either be positively, negatively, or neutrally charged, depending on the number of protons and electrons they contain.

Examine Each Option

Let's review each option to determine if they are electrically charged. - **Molecule**: A molecule is a neutral group of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds. Generally, molecules are not charged, though some molecules can have a slight charge due to electron distribution, making them polar. - **Isotope**: An isotope refers to atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons. Isotopes are not charged because the difference in neutrons does not affect the overall charge of the atom. - **Solution**: A solution is a homogenous mixture of two or more substances. The solution itself is not charged, although it might contain charged particles (ions) in the solute. - **Ion**: An ion is an atom or a group of atoms that have lost or gained one or more electrons, resulting in a net electrical charge, either positive or negative.

Identify the Charged Option

From our examination, **ions** are the only option listed that is explicitly described as electrically charged because ions have an imbalance between protons and electrons, resulting in a net charge.

Key concepts

Understanding Molecules

A molecule is the smallest particle in a chemical element or compound that has the chemical properties of that element or compound. Molecules are made up of atoms bonded together. These bonds form through the sharing of electrons between atoms. Molecules possess a neutral charge because the number of electrons equals the number of protons.
Molecules can vary greatly in size and complexity. Simple molecules consist of only two atoms bonded together, like O_2 (oxygen gas), while larger molecules may consist of thousands of atoms, such as proteins and DNA.
Molecules can also be polar or nonpolar.

• Polar molecules have a slight electrical dipole moment because of uneven distribution of electrons. Water is a classic example of a polar molecule.
• Nonpolar molecules have electrons equally distributed across the molecule.

Even though some molecules can be polar, they are typically considered neutral overall since the complete charge (positive and negative) within the molecule is balanced.

Exploring Isotopes

Isotopes are variations of a particular chemical element which differ in neutron number, although they have the same number of protons. This gives them the same atomic number but a different mass number.
The existence of isotopes doesn’t affect the electrical charge of an atom since they still have an equal number of protons and electrons. Electrons determine electrical charge, and as long as electrons and protons are in balance, the atom remains neutral.
Isotopes can be found naturally or produced artificially. They play significant roles in various scientific fields:

• Radioactive isotopes are used in medical imaging and treatments.
• Stable isotopes find applications in chemistry and environmental science, for example, in isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

Thus, despite variations in neutron numbers, isotopes remain uncharged unless they are ionized.

What are Ions?

Ions are atoms or molecules that carry a net electrical charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons. This happens because the atom's usual neutral state (equal number of protons and electrons) is disturbed.
When an atom loses electrons, it becomes positively charged and is known as a cation. Conversely, when an atom gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged and is termed an anion.
The concept of ions is fundamental to chemistry and physics:

• Ions play a crucial role in conducting electricity in solutions and are essential for the correct functioning of batteries.
• Ionic compounds often form crystalline structures, such as salt, which solidify thanks to the electrostatic attractions between the oppositely charged ions.

These electrically charged particles are crucial in processes like reaction mechanisms in chemistry and the formation of non-metallic elements into salts.