What's the difference between an atom and an ion?

Atoms and ions are both made up of proton's and neutrons in the nucleus with electrons orbiting around. The difference is atom's have equal number of proton's and electrons while ions have more or less electrons than proton's (for a given element).

OB
Answered by Oliver B. Chemistry tutor

10865 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

describe advantages and disadvantages of using hydrogen instead of fossil fuels


What is an unsaturated hydrocarbon?


What is cracking and how is it done?


What is Fractional Distillation and how does it work?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning