Ions
Key Points
- Atoms gain or lose electrons to have a full outer shell
- Atoms with a different number of protons and electrons is called an ion. An ion is an atom with an overall charge.
- Losing electrons makes a positive ion (Metals are usually positive ions)
- Gaining electrons makes a negative ion. (Nonmetals are usually negative ions)
- Steps in making an Ion
- 1) Determine if the atom will gain or lose an electron
- 2) Determine how many electrons it will need to gain or lose.
- 3) Remove or add needed electrons
- 4) Determine the overall charge
- 5) Draw the brackets and write the charge at the top right.
Ions Video
Link: Ions Video