Gen Chem 1 #20

Topic: Atoms, Molecules, Ions

Objective: Differentiate among atoms, molecules, ions, and give examples

Terms:

Atom – the smallest particle of an element that retains the characteristics of an element.

Molecules – a neutral group of atoms joined by covalent bond.

Ions – a charged particle that forms an atom(or covalent bond) when it gains or loses one or more
electrons.

Concept map showing the relationship of these particles:

ATOMS

COMBINE TO FORM
LOSE OR GAIN ELECTRON TO FORM

MOLECULES IONS

ATOMS

GAIN OF ELECTRONS LOSE OF ELECTRONS

NEGATIVE
POSITIVE
(ANIONS)
(CATIONS)
IONS can be made up of:

1. Monoatomic - only one atom.

2. Polyatomic - more than one type of atom.

Monoatomic ions are named based on the element.

1. For cations,
 the name of the element is unchanged.
Example:
a. Zn2+ – zinc ion
b. Mg2+ – magnesium ion
c. K+ – potassium ion
 If an element can form two ions of different charges, the name, which is usually derived from
its Latin name is modified:
 for the ion with the higher charge, modify the name by the suffix – ic, and
 for the ion with lower charges, modify the name by the suffix –ous.

Example:

a. Fe2+ – ferrous ion or iron (II) ion

b. Fe3+ – ferric ion or iron(III) ion
c. Cr2+ - chromium (II)
d. Cr3+ – chromium (III)
e. Cu+ - copper (I)
f. Cu2+ - copper (II)

2. For anions,
 the name of the element is modified by the suffix –ide.
Example:
a. Br- – bromide ion
b. b. S2- – sulfide ion
c. c. O2- – oxide ion
d. d. I- – iodide

Several anions are polyatomic and are named based on the atomic constituents and the suffix –
ide.

Examples:
a. OH- – hydroxide ion
b. CN- – cyanide ion
Polyatomic Ions - - more than one type of atom.

 Polyatomic anions containing oxygen atoms - are named based on the root word of the central
(or non-oxygen) atom and the suffix –ate.
 for the one with more oxygen atoms add the suffix – ate.
 For the one with less oxygen atoms add the suffix – ite.
Examole:
a. NO3- – nitrate ion
b. NO2- – nitrite ion
c. SO32- – sulfite ion
d. SO42- – sulfate ion
e. PO43- – phosphate ion
 Some anions have common names ending with the suffix –ate.
Example;
a. C2H3O2- – acetate ion
b. C2O42- – oxalate ion