Charge of an Ion - What Does "+1" Mean?

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In summary, the elementary charge of a single proton is 1.6 * 10^-19 C, while the charge of an electron is the negative of this value. In an electroneutral atom or molecule, the number of protons and electrons is equal, resulting in a net charge of 0 C. However, when an atom or molecule becomes an ion, it either gains or loses electrons, resulting in a nonzero net charge. So, a +1 charge on an ion means that it has lost one electron, but it does not necessarily mean that its charge is 1.6 * 10^-19 C, as this value only applies to a single proton or electron.
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FredericChopin
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The charge of a single proton is the elementary charge of 1.6 * 10^-19 C, and the charge of an electron is the negative of the elementary charge, which is -1.6 * 10^-19 C.

In an electroneutral atom or molecule, there are just as many protons as there are electrons, and so the net charge is 0 C.

But an ion either loses or gains electrons. For example, an ion with a +1 charge has lost one electron.

But does this "+1" charge mean that the ion has a charge of 1.6 * 10^-19 C, as there is one more proton than electron?

Thank you.
 
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Yes.
 
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Thank you.
 

Related to Charge of an Ion - What Does "+1" Mean?

1. What is an ion?

An ion is an atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a positive or negative charge.

2. How is the charge of an ion determined?

The charge of an ion is determined by the number of electrons gained or lost. If an atom gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged and if it loses electrons, it becomes positively charged. The number of electrons gained or lost is indicated by the numerical value of the charge, such as +1 or -2.

3. What does the "+1" mean in the charge of an ion?

The "+1" in the charge of an ion indicates that the ion has gained one electron, resulting in a negative charge. This is also known as a monovalent ion.

4. What is the significance of the charge of an ion?

The charge of an ion determines its chemical and physical properties. Positively charged ions (cations) tend to be attracted to negatively charged ions (anions) and vice versa. This attraction plays a crucial role in chemical reactions and the formation of compounds.

5. Can an ion have a charge other than +1?

Yes, an ion can have a charge other than +1. It can have a positive charge (such as +2, +3, etc.) if it has lost multiple electrons, or a negative charge (such as -1, -2, etc.) if it has gained multiple electrons. The numerical value of the charge indicates the number of electrons gained or lost.

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