A charged atom or molecule is called what?

Study for College Biology Exam 1 with comprehensive quizzes that include flashcards and multiple choice questions, each accompanied by detailed explanations. Boost your readiness for your biology exam!

Multiple Choice

A charged atom or molecule is called what?

Explanation:
Being charged means there’s an imbalance of charge on the particle, caused by gaining or losing electrons. When this happens to an atom or molecule, the whole thing is called an ion. If electrons are lost, it becomes positively charged (a cation); if electrons are gained, it becomes negatively charged (an anion). An atom is only charged when its electrons don’t balance its protons, but in its neutral form it’s not an ion. Electrons and protons are the individual charged particles inside atoms, but the term for the charged whole is ion.

Being charged means there’s an imbalance of charge on the particle, caused by gaining or losing electrons. When this happens to an atom or molecule, the whole thing is called an ion. If electrons are lost, it becomes positively charged (a cation); if electrons are gained, it becomes negatively charged (an anion). An atom is only charged when its electrons don’t balance its protons, but in its neutral form it’s not an ion. Electrons and protons are the individual charged particles inside atoms, but the term for the charged whole is ion.

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