what is the difference between an atom and an ion ???
In an atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons. In an ion, the number of electrons is not equal to the number of neutrons. A positive ion has more protons than electrons whilst a negative ion has more electrons than protons.
Another way of looking at it--an ion is an atom (sometimes more than one atom) with a + or - charge on it.
example of one atom--Na atom; Na^+ ion
examle of more than one atom--SO4^2-
An atom and an ion differ in their electrical charge.
An atom is the basic unit of matter, made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons have a positive charge, neutrons have no charge, and electrons have a negative charge. In a neutral atom, the number of protons is equal to the number of electrons, resulting in a net charge of zero.
On the other hand, an ion is an atom or molecule that has gained or lost electrons, thereby acquiring a net electrical charge. When an atom gains electrons, it becomes a negatively charged ion, known as an anion. Conversely, when an atom loses electrons, it becomes a positively charged ion, known as a cation.
The charge of an ion is indicated by a superscript sign following the chemical symbol. For example, the symbol for a sodium ion is Na+, indicating that it has lost one electron and carries a positive charge.
To determine whether an atom or ion has a charge, you can look at its atomic number and electron configuration. The atomic number corresponds to the number of protons, and in a neutral atom, it is also equal to the number of electrons. However, in an ion, the number of electrons can be different.
In summary, the difference between an atom and an ion lies in their electrical charge. Atoms are electrically neutral, with the same number of protons and electrons, while ions have gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net positive or negative charge.