Positive Ions Flashcards

All 4 cards in this deck

Why do atoms have no overall electrical charge?

The number of electrons equals the number of protons, so the negative and positive charges cancel.

How does an atom turn into a positive ion?

By losing one or more outer electrons.

True or false? An atom becomes a positive ion by gaining protons.

False. It becomes a positive ion by losing outer electrons; the proton number never changes in ionisation.

True or false? A positive ion has more protons than electrons.

True. It has lost electrons, so protons outnumber electrons.