What is the difference between atoms and ions?

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What is the difference between atoms and ions?

What makes them diff. from each other???

2006-11-20 10:28:17 · 3 answers · asked by Aeropostale' 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry

3 answers

An atom has equal numbers of protons (+ charged) and electrons (- charged) making them neutral.

An ion has either gained or lost electrons (only those in its' outer shell [valence]) giving them a + or a - charge.

Get an "A".

2006-11-20 12:21:38 · answer #1 · answered by teachr 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋

Atoms dont hold a charge. An ion is an ion because it has a positive or negative charge. Atoms are just tiny particles that make up bigger matter.

2006-11-20 10:31:00 · answer #2 · answered by hippiechic2241 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋

an atom is the smallest particle of matter
an ion is a charged particle made up of one or more atoms

2006-11-20 10:31:19 · answer #3 · answered by champagne0684 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋