Ions
Part of the Atomic Structure section of Coddy's Chemistry journey. Lesson 15 of 45.
An ion is a charged particle. A cation is positive: it lost electrons. Metals form cations, like Na⁺ and Mg²⁺.
An anion is negative: it gained electrons. Non-metals form anions, named with -ide: chloride Cl⁻, oxide O²⁻.
Atoms lose or gain electrons until their outer shell is full: Na⁺ has shells 2, 8 like neon, and Cl⁻ has 2, 8, 8 like argon.
Na⁺ has lost its outer electron; Cl⁻ has filled its outer shell
Challenge
Seawater tastes salty because it is full of ions. The three most common are sodium, chloride and magnesium ions. Build Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and Cl⁻.
Try it yourself
Test yourselfThis lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
All lessons in Atomic Structure
1Matter and Atoms
What Everything Is Made OfElements, Compounds, MixturesChemical SymbolsCounting Atoms in a FormulaRecap - Molecule Kit