Ions Flashcards
What is an ion?
Charged particles.
What can ions be?
Single (like Cl⁻) or groups of atoms, group ions (e.g. NO₃⁻)
What do atoms do to form ions?
They lose or gain electrons.
Why do atoms lose or gain electrons to form iona?
They to do it try get a full outer energy level, like a noble gas.
What is stable electron arrangement?
Full outer energy level - atoms with this arrangement are very stable.
What happens when metals form ions?
They lose outer electrons to form positive ions.
What happens when non-metals form ions?
They gain outer electrons to form negative ions.
How do you determine the number of electrons lost or gained on an ion?
It is the same as the charge on the ion (e.g. 2 electrons lost is a charge of 2+, 3 electrons lost is a charge of 3-)
What does the charge on an ion also equal?
The valency.
Why do elements in the same groups form ions with the same charges?
They have the same amount of outer electrons, so they have to lose or gain the same amount.
