Meaning of Ions (What they are, Concept and Definition)

Ions are a chemical component that result from electron loss or gain process through electrically charged reactions.

This chemical component appears in reactions from the atom's need to have the same amount of protons and electrons.

Cation and Anion

The ion is classified according to the electrical charge it receives. If this charge is negative, it is classified as anion, who is attracted by the anode, electrode through which positive electrical charge flows into a polarized electrical device.

If the charge is positive, the ion is classified as cation and is attracted by the cathode, electrode that the electrical current leaves a polarized electrical apparatus.

Ions can also be named according to the number of ions received. This is the case of magnesium (Mg²⁺), which is called bivalent cation or simply positive bivalent ion, or fluorine (F^-), which is called a monovalent anion or a negative monovalent ion.

ionic bond

Ions can also make bonds between positive and negative ions. this is the call

ionic bond, where we have as an example what happens in the formation of sodium chloride, the table salt. In this case, sodium (Na⁺) binds to chlorine (Cl ^-), according to the reaction below:

At⁺ + Cl^- → NaCl

Ionization potential

The ion also needs minimal energy for an electron to be removed from its electrosphere, especially when it is in a gaseous state and has not undergone any stimulus. this is the call ionization potential.

Thus, the greater the energy the atom receives, the less likely it is to become a cation (positive ion).

Halogens are the elements that have the greatest ionization potential. Unlike metals in general.

See also the meaning of Ionize and Ionizing.