Ion Definition Explained
An ion is defined as an atom or a group of atoms that carries a net electrical charge. This charge arises when the atom or group of atoms loses or gains electrons.
Analyzing the Options
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Option A: An atom or group of atoms that has a positive or negative charge
This definition accurately describes an ion. Atoms achieve a charge by gaining electrons (becoming negative ions, or anions) or losing electrons (becoming positive ions, or cations).
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Option B: A molecule with more neutrons than protons
The number of neutrons affects the isotope of an atom but does not determine its charge. An imbalance of protons and electrons creates charge, not neutrons.
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Option C: An atom with equal number of protons and electrons
When an atom has an equal number of protons (positive charge) and electrons (negative charge), the charges cancel out, resulting in a neutral atom, not an ion.
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Option D: A neutral particle formed by the combination of atoms
A neutral particle formed by combining atoms is typically a molecule or a compound. Ions are inherently charged particles.
Therefore, the most accurate definition of an ion is a charged atom or group of atoms.
Important Questions from Atoms
If $M$ is the mass of water that rises in a capillary tube of radius $r$, then what would be the total mass of water that rises if a capillary tube of radius $r$ and another capillary tube of radius $2r$ are simultaneously placed in water, assuming identical liquid and material properties?
The diameter of an atom is
The ratio of specific charge of a proton and a α-particle is
The ratio of radii of two nuclei having atomic mass numbers 27 and 8 respectively, will be:
A $Be^{3+}$ ion, initially in its second excited state, absorbs a photon of wavelength $601.6\text{ A}$. The radius of the ion in the resulting excited state in terms of Bohr radius $a_0$ will be (Take $hc = 12500\text{ eV-A}$)
