Electrical Engineering (EE) Exam  >  Electrical Engineering (EE) Questions  >  What is the difference between an atom and an... Start Learning for Free
What is the difference between an atom and an ion?
  • a)
    Ions have always larger mass than the atoms of the same element
  • b)
    Ions are neutral particles while atoms always carry a positive charge
  • c)
    Ions are always charged particles while the atoms are neutral as a whole
  • d)
    Ions can only exist in liquid solutions
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
What is the difference between an atom and an ion?a)Ions have always l...
An ion is a particle or collection of particles with a net positive or negative charge.
An atom is the basic unit of an element. The identity of an element is determined by the number of positively charged protons in the atom’s nucleus. A stable atom contains the same number of electrons as protons and no net charge.
View all questions of this test
Most Upvoted Answer
What is the difference between an atom and an ion?a)Ions have always l...
Atoms and ions are fundamental particles that make up matter. While they are similar in many ways, there are key differences between them.

Ions are always charged particles, whereas atoms can be either neutral or charged. An ion is formed when an atom gains or loses electrons. When an atom gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged and is called an anion. When an atom loses electrons, it becomes positively charged and is called a cation. In contrast, atoms are neutral particles that have an equal number of protons and electrons, resulting in a net charge of zero.

The charge of an ion is determined by the number of electrons gained or lost. For example, if an atom of sodium (Na) loses one electron, it becomes a sodium ion (Na+), which carries a positive charge. Similarly, if an atom of chlorine (Cl) gains one electron, it becomes a chloride ion (Cl-), which carries a negative charge. These charged ions play essential roles in chemical reactions and the formation of compounds.

Atoms, on the other hand, are the building blocks of matter. They consist of a nucleus, which contains protons and neutrons, surrounded by a cloud of electrons. The number of protons in the nucleus determines the atomic number and defines the element. For example, an atom with six protons is always carbon (C), regardless of its charge.

Atoms can exist as individual particles or combine with other atoms to form molecules. In a molecule, atoms are held together by chemical bonds, which can be either covalent or ionic. In an ionic bond, one atom donates electrons to another atom, resulting in the formation of ions.

In summary, the main difference between atoms and ions is that ions are always charged particles, while atoms can be either neutral or charged. Ions are formed when atoms gain or lose electrons, resulting in a net positive or negative charge. Atoms, on the other hand, are the basic units of matter and can exist as neutral particles or combine to form molecules.
Explore Courses for Electrical Engineering (EE) exam

Top Courses for Electrical Engineering (EE)

What is the difference between an atom and an ion?a)Ions have always larger mass than the atoms of the same elementb)Ions are neutral particles while atoms always carry a positive chargec)Ions are always charged particles while the atoms are neutral as a wholed)Ions can only exist in liquid solutionsCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
What is the difference between an atom and an ion?a)Ions have always larger mass than the atoms of the same elementb)Ions are neutral particles while atoms always carry a positive chargec)Ions are always charged particles while the atoms are neutral as a wholed)Ions can only exist in liquid solutionsCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? for Electrical Engineering (EE) 2024 is part of Electrical Engineering (EE) preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the Electrical Engineering (EE) exam syllabus. Information about What is the difference between an atom and an ion?a)Ions have always larger mass than the atoms of the same elementb)Ions are neutral particles while atoms always carry a positive chargec)Ions are always charged particles while the atoms are neutral as a wholed)Ions can only exist in liquid solutionsCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for Electrical Engineering (EE) 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for What is the difference between an atom and an ion?a)Ions have always larger mass than the atoms of the same elementb)Ions are neutral particles while atoms always carry a positive chargec)Ions are always charged particles while the atoms are neutral as a wholed)Ions can only exist in liquid solutionsCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for What is the difference between an atom and an ion?a)Ions have always larger mass than the atoms of the same elementb)Ions are neutral particles while atoms always carry a positive chargec)Ions are always charged particles while the atoms are neutral as a wholed)Ions can only exist in liquid solutionsCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for Electrical Engineering (EE). Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for Electrical Engineering (EE) Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of What is the difference between an atom and an ion?a)Ions have always larger mass than the atoms of the same elementb)Ions are neutral particles while atoms always carry a positive chargec)Ions are always charged particles while the atoms are neutral as a wholed)Ions can only exist in liquid solutionsCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of What is the difference between an atom and an ion?a)Ions have always larger mass than the atoms of the same elementb)Ions are neutral particles while atoms always carry a positive chargec)Ions are always charged particles while the atoms are neutral as a wholed)Ions can only exist in liquid solutionsCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for What is the difference between an atom and an ion?a)Ions have always larger mass than the atoms of the same elementb)Ions are neutral particles while atoms always carry a positive chargec)Ions are always charged particles while the atoms are neutral as a wholed)Ions can only exist in liquid solutionsCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of What is the difference between an atom and an ion?a)Ions have always larger mass than the atoms of the same elementb)Ions are neutral particles while atoms always carry a positive chargec)Ions are always charged particles while the atoms are neutral as a wholed)Ions can only exist in liquid solutionsCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice What is the difference between an atom and an ion?a)Ions have always larger mass than the atoms of the same elementb)Ions are neutral particles while atoms always carry a positive chargec)Ions are always charged particles while the atoms are neutral as a wholed)Ions can only exist in liquid solutionsCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice Electrical Engineering (EE) tests.
Explore Courses for Electrical Engineering (EE) exam

Top Courses for Electrical Engineering (EE)

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev