Why do ions have positive or negative charge?

Answer 1

In Ionic bonding, ions can become charged by giving or taking electrons. Ions are always trying to have a full outer shell of electrons because that makes them stable. Therefore, in the compound sodium chloride (NaCl or Table Salt) sodium loses one electron to chlorine. Therefore the sodium has a + charge, because it has one more proton than electron. The chlorine has a - charge because it has one more electron than proton.

Answer 2

Ions carry different charges because they lost/gained a certain number of electrons. Atoms are naturally neutral, but when they lose a number of electrons they become an ion. Depending on if they lost or gained and how many, that specifies the type of ion.

Answer 3

Put simply, elements can be classified under two categories: electron donors, and electron acceptors.

When sharing a bond with other elements, the one that will 'pull' the electron(s) close to it is the one with the highest electronegativity of the two, and will accumulate additional negative charges, turning it into a negative ion. The other one, with the lower electronegativity, will lose negative charges, therefore making it positive.

Answer 4

An ion is positively or negatively charged due to the amount of electrons it has compared to the amount of protons it has. If an atom has MORE electrons, it will be a negative ion, or anion. If an atom has LESS electrons than protons, it will be positive, known as a cation.

Answer 5

Ions are either positively or negatively charged because they have either lost or gained electrons, respectively. Electrons are negatively charged and protons in the nucleus are positively charged. Electrons can be gained or lost but the number of protons remains constant. Therefore, when an electron is lost the atom has one less negative charge than it does positive charge and becomes positively charged overall.

Answer 6

Ions have positive or negative charges because they have lost or gained electrons during chemical reactions. Positive ions, also known as cations, have lost electrons and therefore have more protons than electrons, giving them a positive charge. Negative ions, or anions, have gained electrons and thus have more electrons than protons, resulting in a negative charge.

Answer 7

because when it becomes charge that is a result of loss or gain of electrons

Answer 8

Correct - a cation carries positive charge and an anion negative charge