Question

Explain the difference between the vocabulary words in each of the following sets. $$ \text { atom-ion } $$

Short answer

Atoms are neutral, while ions are charged due to lost or gained electrons.

Step-by-step solution

Define 'Atom'

An atom is the smallest unit of ordinary matter that forms a chemical element. Each atom consists of a nucleus with protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons that orbit the nucleus. Atoms are the building blocks of the elements found in the periodic table and are typically electrically neutral, with the number of protons equaling the number of electrons.

Define 'Ion'

An ion is an atom or a group of atoms that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in an electric charge. When an atom loses electrons, it becomes a positively charged ion or cation, and when it gains electrons, it becomes a negatively charged ion or anion. Ions are formed through chemical reactions or physical processes and are crucial in various chemical processes.

Contrast Atom and Ion

The key difference between an atom and an ion is the presence of an electrical charge. Atoms are neutral because they have an equal number of protons and electrons. In contrast, ions have an unequal number of protons and electrons, giving them a net positive or negative charge. This charge affects the chemical properties and reactions of ions compared to neutral atoms.

Key concepts

Atoms and Ions

Atoms are fundamental units of matter representing specific chemical elements. They are made up of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons orbiting in various energy levels. The number of protons in the nucleus, known as the atomic number, defines the type of element an atom belongs to such as hydrogen or oxygen. An ion, on the other hand, is an atom that has gained or lost electrons. This results in a net electrical charge. When an atom loses electrons, it becomes a positively charged ion, called a cation. An example is a sodium ion (Na+) which results from a sodium atom losing one electron. When an atom gains electrons, it turns into a negatively charged ion, known as an anion, like a chloride ion (Cl-) formed by a chlorine atom gaining an extra electron. The main difference is that while atoms are generally neutral, ions carry an electric charge which significantly influences their behavior in chemical reactions.

Electric Charge

Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter that causes it to experience a force when placed in an electromagnetic field. There are two types of electric charges: positive and negative. Protons have a positive charge, while electrons are negatively charged. Neutrons, as their name suggests, are neutral and carry no charge. The concept of electric charge is crucial in understanding the behavior of atoms and ions. Atoms are typically neutral as they have equal numbers of protons and electrons. When an atom becomes an ion by gaining or losing electrons, it undergoes a change in electric charge:

• If electrons are lost, the ion is positively charged (cation).
• If electrons are gained, the ion is negatively charged (anion).

These charges play a vital role in chemical interactions, influencing attraction and repulsion between different charges, which is fundamental to forming compounds and engaging in reactions.

Chemical Reactions

Chemical reactions involve the transformation of substances through the breaking and forming of chemical bonds. At the atomic level, reactions often involve the rearrangement of electrons among atoms and ions to form new substances. The role of ions in chemical reactions is critical. Because they carry electric charges, ions interact dynamically with other charged and neutral atoms, leading to the formation of ionic compounds like salts. A classic example of this is the reaction between sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-) to form sodium chloride (NaCl), or table salt. Ionic bonds form as a result of the electromagnetic attraction between the charged ions:

• Cations and anions are naturally attracted to each other due to opposite charges.
• This leads to the formation of stable ionic compounds.

Understanding this process demonstrates how electric charges orchestrate the vast array of chemical reactions that occur around us, underscoring the structural importance of atomic structure.