Atoms

What are Atoms?

• Smallest form of matter in chemistry
• Core elements which make up the Periodic Table
  • Ex. Gold, Oxygen, Carbon, etc...
• Combine with other atoms to create molecules

What are they made of?

• Made up of subatomic particles:
  • Nucleus consisting of protons and neutrons
    • Only exception being hydrogen, which contains one proton and no neutrons
  • Shells consisting of electrons

Atoms -> Ions

• Atoms are typically found in a neutral state
  • A neutral atom will contain equal amounts of protons and electrons
  • Neutrality comes from the charges of protons and electrons cancelling out
• Through chemical reactions or colliding with another atom, an atom may gain or lose electrons
• The gaining/losing of electrons results in a charge
  • If an electron was gained, the ion will be negatively charged
  • If an electron was lost, the ion will be positively charged

TL:DR, An Atom becomes an Ion by gaining or losing electrons.