How do you know if an atom is an ion?

Answer 1

Ions are atoms or molecules that have an electrical charge. Either + or -. Positive ions are often called cations while negatively charged ions are anions. For example, sodium in its elemental state has a positive charge and is notated as Na+ (the + shouild be superscripted). Chloride on the other hand is an anion and would be notated as Cl- (again with the supercript). These ions should look familiar as when they combine the form NaCl, or salt, which is not an ion as it has a neutral charge. The + charge and the - charge balanced and a stable compound was formed.

Answer 2

An ion is an atom that has gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net positive or negative charge. You can identify an ion by looking at the number of protons and electrons it has – if they are not equal, the atom is an ion.

Answer 3

An atom is an ion if it carries a charge.

An atom carries a charge if it has more or less electrons than its neutral state (the same as its atomic number)