What are ions?

Answer by  Henry55 (118)

Ions are electrically charged atoms, either positively charged or negatively charged. They key point to be made here is that they are single atoms that have either extra or less of an amount of electrons, thus giving the atom an overall electric charge.

Answer by  thompsen (63)

Ions are compounds or elements that are not electrically neutral. That is, they have extra electrons or are electron deficient. Ions that have more electrons than normal have a negative electrical charge and are called anions. The opposite case where there is electron deficiecy yields positively charged molecules or ions and they are called cations.

Answer by  Wilson90 (24)

Some atoms need to achieve stable duplet (two) or octet (eight) valance electron (electrons of outermost shell) configuration. Ions are positively or negatively charged atoms formed by donating or accepting electrons in order to acheive stable valance electron arrangement. This may happen in a typical chemical reaction.