answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

An Atom is the smallest particle of an element, with all the properties of this element, that can combine with other atoms to form a molecule.

An Ion is an atom or group of atoms having an electric charge as a result of losing or gaining one or more electrons.

example, oxygen is typically -2, (two extra electrons) while hydrogen is +1 (no electrons). Thus oxygen will combine with two hydrogens to form water.
An atom is electrically neutral, and an ion has an electric charge (either positive or negative).

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

4mo ago

An ion is an atom or molecule that has gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net electrical charge. Atoms are neutral particles that contain an equal number of protons and electrons. Essentially, ions have an electrical charge, while atoms do not.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

The main difference between an atom of an element and an ion of an element is the number of electrons.

Ions: The total number of electrons are not equal to the to the total number of protons.

Atoms: The total number of electrons are equal to the total number of protons.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

In an atom the charges are balanced, there is as much positive charge as negative charge.

In an ion the charges are not balanced, this means it is much more reactive than an atom of the same element. There are also molecular ions.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

an atom is generally neutral.

an ion is charged, which means that it either gained an electron or lost one.

think about it, losing or gaining an electron can definitely disrupt the total charge of an atom.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is the difference between an ion and an atom?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

What is the difference in mass of Na ion and Na atom?

The difference in mass between a sodium atom and a sodium ion (supposing Na+) is 9.10938188 × 10-31kg (the mass of an electron). This is due to the sodium atom losing an electron to form an ion. In order to attain the mass of a single sodium atom you need to divide the molar massn (mass number) of sodium by avogadro's number. You can then find the mass of the ion by subtracting the mass of an electron from the mass of a sodium atom.


What is the Difference between atom in ground state and ion?

An atom in its ground state has an equal number of protons and electrons, resulting in a neutral charge. An ion, on the other hand, has gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net positive or negative charge. This charge difference affects the atom's chemical reactivity and physical properties.


What is a force that attracts electrons from one atom to another which transforms a neutral atom into an ion?

The force that attracts electrons from one atom to another is called electrostatic attraction. This force occurs when there is a difference in the electrical charges between atoms, resulting in the formation of ions. In this process, electrons are either gained or lost by an atom, creating a positively or negatively charged ion.


What is the main difference between an atom and an ion?

An atom is the basic unit of matter composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons, whereas an ion is an atom or molecule with a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of electrons. In essence, ions have gained or lost electrons, altering their overall charge.


What is the difference between an Ion and an Molecule?

Ions are charged.

Related questions

What is the difference between the formation of a positive ion and a negative ion?

positive ion forms when any electron removes from an atom and an anion called negative ion forms when an atom accepts an additional electron


What is the difference of an atom or an ion?

A ion is an electrically charged atom, positive or negative.


What is the difference between a positive and negative atom?

A positive atom (ion) has a deficit of electrons, while a negative atom (ion) has a surplus of electrons.There ar ions. The negativ atoms are antimaterial atoms.


What difference between atom and ion?

An atom has no charge. An ion is an atom that has either gained or lost an electron giving it a charge. An atom that has gained an electron is called an anion and is negative, while an atom that lost an electron is called a cation and is positive.


What is the difference between ion nd atom?

An ion is certain type of atom. Ions are atoms that have lost or gained electrons (often to have 8 valence electrons in the s and p orbitals).


What is the difference of a atom and a ion?

An atom is just a basic unit of mass. An ion is when two types of atoms bond.


What is the difference in mass of Na ion and Na atom?

The difference in mass between a sodium atom and a sodium ion (supposing Na+) is 9.10938188 × 10-31kg (the mass of an electron). This is due to the sodium atom losing an electron to form an ion. In order to attain the mass of a single sodium atom you need to divide the molar massn (mass number) of sodium by avogadro's number. You can then find the mass of the ion by subtracting the mass of an electron from the mass of a sodium atom.


What is the essential difference between an ion and an atom?

An ion is an atom that has a different number of electrons than normal. That makes it positively or negatively charged. Normally, atoms have the same number of electrons as they have protons. If the atom has lost one of more electrons, it will be a positive ion. If it has gained one or more electrons, it will be a negative ion.


What are the differences between natural atoms and ions?

The difference between atoms and ions is that the ion is the same as an atoms that has either gained or lost one or more electrons. Examples: Na is an atom, and it loses 1 electron to become the ion Na+. Cl is an atom, and it gains 1 electron to become the ion Cl-


What is the difference between a cesium atom and cesium ion?

A cesium atom is neutral and has the same number of protons and electrons, while a cesium ion is an atom of cesium that has gained or lost electrons, giving it a net positive or negative charge. Specifically, a cesium ion typically forms a positive ion by losing one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration.


What is the Difference between atom in ground state and ion?

An atom in its ground state has an equal number of protons and electrons, resulting in a neutral charge. An ion, on the other hand, has gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net positive or negative charge. This charge difference affects the atom's chemical reactivity and physical properties.


What is difference between chloride ion and the chlorate ion?

A chloride ion is simply a chlorine atom with an extra electron, giving it a charge of -1. A chlorate ion, which has the same charge, consists of a chlorine atom bonded to three oxygen atoms.