Positive and Negative Ions
What happens when an atom that has no charge loses two electrons?
A. Becomes a positive ion.
B. Becomes a negative ion.
C. Becomes a positive isotope.
D. Becomes a negative isotope.
Answer:
When an atom that has no charge loses two electrons, it becomes a positive ion.
When an atom loses electrons, it becomes positively charged because there are more protons than electrons. This imbalance in charge results in the formation of a positive ion. The loss of electrons leads to a higher number of protons in the nucleus compared to the number of electrons in the atom.
Positive ions play a crucial role in various chemical reactions and processes. They can combine with negative ions to form stable compounds through ionic bonding. Positive ions are also involved in facilitating electrical conductivity in solutions and gases.
Understanding the concept of positive and negative ions is fundamental in the study of chemistry and physics. It helps explain the behavior of atoms and molecules in different environments and conditions.