Multiple Choice
What is the term for an atom that has gained or lost electrons and therefore has a net electrical charge?
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4. Atoms and Elements
Ions (Simplified)
Multiple Choice
Which process changes a chlorine atom into a chloride ion?
A
A chlorine atom gains one electron, forming .
B
A chlorine atom loses one electron, forming .
C
A chlorine atom loses one neutron from its nucleus, changing only its mass number.
D
A chlorine atom gains one proton in its nucleus, increasing its atomic number by 1.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that a chlorine atom (Cl) is neutral, meaning it has an equal number of protons and electrons.
Recall that an ion is formed when an atom gains or loses electrons, resulting in a net electric charge.
Recognize that a chloride ion (Cl⁻) is formed when a chlorine atom gains one electron, giving it a negative charge.
Note that losing an electron would create a positively charged ion (Cl⁺), which is not the chloride ion.
Understand that changes to the nucleus, such as losing a neutron or gaining a proton, affect the isotope or element identity, not the ion charge.
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