Write any two differences between an atom and an ion
Answers
Answer:
An atom can be an ion, but not all ions are atoms. The difference between an atom and an ion has to do with net electrical charge.
An ion is a particle or collection of particles with a net positive or negative charge.
An atom is the basic unit of an element. The identity of an element is determined by the number of positively charged protons in the atom’s nucleus.
A stable atom contains the same number of electrons as protons and no net charge. When electrons are added or removed, the stable atom becomes an ion. If electrons are removed, the net charge of the ion will be positive and known as a cation. When electrons are added, the net charge of the ion becomes negative and known as an anion.
Example:
Ammonium ion: NH4+ – This ion contains one nitrogen and four hydrogen atoms with a net charge of +1.
Nitrite ion: NO2– This ion contains one nitrogen atom and two oxygen for a net charge of -1.