IONS

• Atoms are neutral if they have the

same number of protons as electrons
• Neutral atoms will either give up
electrons or take electrons in order
to have a full outer shell (stable
octet).
• When a previously neutral atom loses
or gains an electron from its outer
shell, it becomes an ion.
BOHR DIAGRAMS
Ions are charged atoms (i.e.
atoms the # of electrons is
different from the # of
protons).
Only the Noble gases have
full outer shells when neutral
– therefore they do not form
ions (are unreactive)
• The elements in each group/family
(i.e. vertical column) has the same
number of valence electrons!

• This does NOT apply to the

transition metals (we will revisit
these later)
 METAL IONS

•Most metals have 1, 2 ,or 3 electrons

in their valence shells
•Metals tend to lose electrons
•Losing electrons (losing negative
charge) results in an ion with an
overall positive charge.

•An ion with a positive charge is called

a cation (ca+ion)
 Protons Electrons
Lithium (Positive) (Negative)

3 Protons
4 Neutrons

Nearest Noble Gas is

 Protons Electrons
Lithium Ion (Positive) (Negative)

3 2

3 Protons
4 Neutrons

Nearest Noble Gas is Helium

Lewis Diagrams

loses 1 electron +1

Li Li
DRAWING CATIONS:
Write the symbol for the metal.
Write the ionic charge in the top right hand
corner of the symbol.
Do not show electrons in the valence shell
(this demonstrates that the valence electrons
have been lost.

Na Al
The name of a metal ion is the same as the
name of the element.

e.g. a sodium atom can become a sodium ion by

losing one electrons

a aluminum atom can become a aluminum

ion by losing three electrons
 NON-METAL IONS

•Most non-metals have either 5, 6, or 7

valence electrons
•Non- metals will tend to take electrons
•Gaining electrons (gaining
negative charge)results in an ion
with an overall negative charge.

•An ion with an overall negative

charge is called an anion.
Nitrogen

7 Protons
7 Neutrons

Protons Electrons
(Positive) (Negative)

7 10
Lewis Diagrams

-3

N N
DRAWING ANIONS:
Start by drawing square brackets with the
element symbol in the middle.
Draw dots around the symbol to represent the atoms
original electrons
Draw x’s to represent the electrons gained
There should be a total of 8 dots and x’s
Complete the diagram by placing the correct ionic charge
in the top right hand corner, outside the brackets

S F
When a non-metal forms an ion,
the ending of the element changes
to “-ide”.

E.g. A fluorine atom can become

a fluoride ion by gaining
1 electron

A nitrogen atom can become

a nitride ion by gaining 3 electrons
TRENDS IN IONIC CHARGE
Because atoms in the same family/group (i.e. vertical column)
have the same number of valence electrons, they form ions with
the same charge (for the most part – exceptions to be discussed
later)
Atoms and Ions are ISOELECTRIC with
each other if they have the same
number of ELECTRONS!!!
Ex. Which of the following are isoelectric
with a neon atom

1- 4- 1- 1+ 2+
F N Na Na Be
LOSE THAT
NEGATIVITY
TO BECOME
POSITIVE
TODAY!