Ions: Understanding Charges and Atom Transformations

The video tutorial explains the concept of ions, which are atoms or groups of atoms with an electrical charge. It describes how ions form when atoms gain or lose electrons, leading to an imbalance between protons and electrons. The tutorial provides examples using sodium and oxygen atoms to illustrate the formation of cations and anions, respectively. It also introduces the concept of polyatomic ions and reviews key vocabulary related to ions.

What is an ion?

• An atom or group of atoms with an electrical charge

• A molecule with no charge

• An atom with a balanced number of protons and electrons

• A type of chemical bond

How does a sodium atom become a cation?

• By losing a proton

• By losing an electron

• By gaining a proton

• By gaining an electron

What charge does a sodium ion have after losing an electron?

• Positive two

• Positive one

• Neutral

• Negative one

What happens to an oxygen atom when it gains two electrons?

• It becomes an anion

• It remains neutral

• It becomes a cation

• It loses its charge

What is the charge of an oxygen ion after gaining two electrons?

• 2-

• 1+

• 1-

• 2+

What is a cation?

• A type of molecule

• A neutral atom

• A positively charged ion

• A negatively charged ion

What is an anion?

• A positively charged ion

• A neutral atom

• A negatively charged ion

• A type of chemical bond

How can you remember that a cation is positive?

• Because it gains electrons

• Because it is neutral

• Because cats have paws

• Because it loses protons

What is a polyatomic ion?

• A group of atoms with a charge

• A neutral molecule

• A type of chemical bond

• A single atom with a charge

What does 'poly' in polyatomic ion mean?

• Neutral

• Many

• Single

• Charged