What is a ion?

An ion is an atom or molecule that has a net electrical charge. This charge is due to the loss or gain of electrons.

• If an atom loses one or more electrons, it becomes a positively charged ion, called a cation.

• If an atom gains one or more electrons, it becomes a negatively charged ion, called an anion.

The process of forming ions is called ionization.

Ions are crucial in many chemical and biological processes. They are responsible for:

• Electrical conductivity in solutions
• Nerve impulses
• Maintaining osmotic balance in living organisms
• Playing a role in the formation of ionic%20compounds (compounds formed by the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions) such as table salt (NaCl).

Ions can exist in various states, including:

• Monoatomic%20ions: Consisting of a single atom (e.g., Na+, Cl-).
• Polyatomic%20ions: Consisting of multiple atoms bonded together with an overall charge (e.g., SO4^2-, NH4+).