Physics GCSE
ions
What ions means in Physics GCSE, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of ions
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Reference: AQA
Any charge written after the symbol refers to electrons, not protons, so an ion has lost or gained electrons while the two nuclear numbers stay the same.
Take one electron away and there are more protons than electrons, giving a positive ion; add an electron and it becomes a negative ion.
Atoms that have lost or gained electrons, which does not change what the element is.
Topics that use ions
- Mass number, atomic number and isotopes (AQA GCSE)
Related terms
- atomic number
- counting neutrons
- identity, charge and mass
- isotopes
- mass number
- neutral atoms
- nuclide notation
- nuclide symbols
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