Ions

• Atoms


  Electrically neutral if they contain the same number of positively charged protons and negatively charged electrons
• Ion


  Electrically charged atom when the numbers of protons and electrons are not equal
• Atoms (and molecules) acquiring charge

  1. Gaining electrons

  2. Losing electrons
• Anion


  Negatively charged atom that has gained one or more electrons
• Cation


  Positively charged atom that has lost one or more electrons