Chemistry / Unit 2 Chem 0222 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Ion
Captions available
The idea
An ion is an atom or molecule whose electron count no longer equals its proton count, giving it a net charge.
In practice
A neutral sodium atom, 11 protons and 11 electrons, becomes the Na+ ion after losing one electron: 11 protons, 10 electrons.
Where people slip
An ion's proton count never changes — only its electron count does. Isotopes instead vary in neutrons, never in charge.
Your place on the trail
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