C2.4 Ions

C2.4 Ions

1. Atoms and ions

   • An atom has the same number of protons and neutrons. This means that the atoms no charge as they balance out
   • Atoms become an ion by loosing or gaining one or more electrons. This means that they no longer balance each other out

2. Cations

   • Metal atom loose electrons to form positively charged Cations
   • Metals in group 2 lose 2 electrons metals in group 1 lose one electron

3. Anions

   • Non-metal gain loose electrons to form negatively charged ions
   • Metals in group 6 gain 2 electrons metals in group 7 gain one electron