What do you call atoms that have gained or lost electrons?
Quick Answer
Atoms that have gained or lost electrons are called ions. If an atom gains electrons, it is called an anion; if it loses electrons, it becomes a cation. Through the gain or loss of electrons, atoms are no longer neutral.
Continue ReadingFull Answer
When atoms gain electrons, they become negatively charged. Atoms losing electrons become positively charged. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons orbiting the nucleus equals the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom. Protons are the positive particles in an atom, while electrons are the negative ones. A neutral atom has the same number of positive as negative charges. With the positive and negative charges canceling each other out, a neutral atom has no net charge.
With the gain or loss of electrons, the balance of protons and electrons is shifted. Either the atom contains more protons than electrons or more electrons than protons, resulting in the atom gaining a net charge.
Learn more about Atoms & MoleculesRelated Questions
-
Q:
What is the difference between atoms, ions and isotopes?
A: The difference between atoms, ions and isotopes is the number of subatomic particles. An atom is the basic building block of matter, the smallest molecule ... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What is a charged group of atoms called?
A: Charged groups of atoms are ions. Ions consist of one or more atoms that have gained or lost electrons. If the group gains electrons, it has a negative cha... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What are gold nanoparticles?
A: Gold nanoparticles are gold atoms in solution that have been created by the process of adding a reducing agent to gold ions. The resulting products have op... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What holds ionic bonds together?
A: Ionic bonds hold atoms together using the electrostatic charge between their positive and negative ions. These ions are formed when electrons are transferr... Full Answer >Filed Under:
