Ions and Isotopes
Based on the information on p34 IGCSE Chemistry Second Edition
Ion
- A positively or negatively electrically charged particle
- An atom or group of atoms which has lost (or gained) one or more electrons
- When an atom loses one or more electrons, it becomes a positively charged ion
- When an atom gains one or more electrons, it becomes a negatively charged ion
- An ion may contain MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF ATOM
- eg. NO3-
- (a Nitrate Ion)
- An ion may possess MORE THAN ONE UNIT OF CHARGE (either negative / positive)
- eg. Al3+ , O2-, SO42-
- repsectively an Aluminium ion, an Oxygen ion and a Sulphate ion
Isotopes
- Atoms of the same element which have a different number of neutrons
There are two types of Isotopes:
- The ones that are stable
- The ones that are UNstable
1. The ONES THAT ARE STABLE
Generally, isotopes behave the same way in chemical reactions
Effect of the extra neutrons:
- Alter the mass of the atom
- Alter the properties which depend on the mass of the atom
- eg. Density
2. The ONES THAT ARE UNSTABLE
- The EXTRA NEUTRONS in their nuclei are radioactive
- These isotopes are called radioisotopes
- eg. Uranium (power source in nuclear reactors)
Atomic Structure and Periodic Table
links to other subtopics in this section can be found here.