Ions consisting of only a single atom are termed monatomic ions, atomic ions or simple ions, while ions consisting of two or more atoms are termed polyatomic ions or molecular ions.

Nov 18, 2025 · Ion, any atom or group of atoms that bears one or more positive or negative electrical charges. Positively charged ions are called cations; negatively charged ions, anions. …

Sep 4, 2019 · Learn the definition of an ion, as used in chemistry, chemical engineering, and physics, plus review examples of ions.

Atoms that lose electrons acquire a positive charge as a result because they are left with fewer negatively charged electrons to balance the positive charges of the protons in the nucleus. …

Nov 1, 2012 · Ions are atoms that have a positive or negative charge because they have unequal numbers of protons and electrons. If atoms lose electrons, they become positive ions, or cations.

Nov 20, 2021 · In chemical reactions, ions form when atoms or molecules gain or lose valence electrons. Only nuclear reactions change the number of protons in a chemical species. The …

Atoms form ions to achieve a more stable electron configuration, typically that of the nearest noble gas. By losing or gaining electrons, an atom can attain a full outermost electron shell (an …

Ions are atoms that have gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net electrical charge. When an atom loses electrons, it becomes a cation, which is a positively charged ion. Conversely, when …

Jul 16, 2021 · Ions, atoms with unequal amounts of electrons and protons, can have multiple types. Review how they differ and how they combine with examples of ions.

Ions form when doing so minimizes the total potential energy of the chemical species involved in the chemical reaction. Often, this is achieved by allowing atoms of different elements to …