What is an ion?

1 Answer
Jun 20, 2018

This is an atomic or molecular particle with a FORMAL electornic charge....

Explanation:

Anions are produced by reduction....#"formal electron gain"#

#1/2I_2(s) + e^(-) rarr I^(-)#

And cations are produced by oxidation loss....#"formal electron LOSS"#

#Na(s) rarr Na^(+)+ e^(-) #

These are individual redox reactions, the which we add together in such a way that the electrons are eliminated....

#Na(s)+1/2I_2(s) rarr NaI(s)#

But in essence, ions are formed by electron transfer....gain or loss of same...