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Definition of an ion with examples

Answer Text:
What is an Ion:
Definition: an ion is a charged particle of an element.
- Are formed when an atom of an element either loses or gains electrons.
Illustration:
- For a neutral atom the number of electrons in the energy levels (negative charges) is equal and thus
Completely balances the number of protons in the nucleus (positive charges).
- Thus the net charge in a neutral atom is zero (0).
- When an atom gains electron(s), the number of electrons becomes higher than the number of protons
resulting to a net negative charge hence an ion.
- Oppositely when an atom loses electron(s) the number of protons becomes higher than the number of
Electrons resulting into a net positive charge hence an ion.
- The charge on the ion is usually indicated as a superscript to the right of the chemical symbol.
- Thus ions are of two types:
Cations
Anions