What is an ion?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for a definition or explanation of what an ion is, which is a fundamental concept in chemistry and physics regarding charged particles.
Answer
An ion is an atom or molecule with a net electrical charge, positive or negative.
An ion is an atom or molecule with a net electrical charge, either positive (cation) or negative (anion). This charge occurs because the number of electrons does not equal the number of protons.
Answer for screen readers
An ion is an atom or molecule with a net electrical charge, either positive (cation) or negative (anion). This charge occurs because the number of electrons does not equal the number of protons.
More Information
Ions are crucial in many fields, including chemistry and biology, because they influence chemical reactions and biological processes. Positively charged ions (cations) are often metals, while negatively charged ions (anions) are usually non-metals.
Sources
- Ion | Definition, Chemistry, Examples, & Facts | Britannica - britannica.com
- Ion - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
- What is an ion? - qrg.northwestern.edu
AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify critical information
