Atom vs. Ion
The main difference between Atom and Ion is that Atom is the fundamental unit of matter. It contains the equal number of electrons and protons in their nucleus, thus bear a net neutral electrical charge, whereas Ion is an atom that contains the unequal number of protons and electrons in it and therefore carries a net positive or negative charge.
Key Differences
Atoms have no further classifications, on the flip side, Ions further classified into two types as Cations and Anions based on their carrying a positive or negative charge.
Atoms bear a net neutral charge due to an equal number of protons and electrons, on the other hand, Ions bear a net positive or a negative charge due to an unequal number of electrons and protons.
An atom is a fundamental unit of all matters in this universe; on the contrary, Ions are positive or negative charge bearing atoms.
Atoms are denoted by a neutral molecular formula of an element due to no charge. On the contrary, Ions are denoted by a charge either negative or positive as per the number of electrons with respect to protons.
Atoms do not show any attraction or repulsion to an electric field, whereas, as Ions bear a net positive or a negative charge, they show attraction or repulsion to electric fields as per their bearing charge.
Atoms are composed of equal protons and electrons as in their existing natural forms; on the flip side, Ions contain an unequal number of electrons and protons by attracting or losing an electron in their outermost shell.
Atoms have examples as the Hydrogen atom represented by H and Iron is represented by Fe, whereas the example of Ions is; Cobalt, which is denoted by Co 2+ and Nitride, which is denoted by N3-.
Comparison Chart
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The fundamental unit of matter in this universe contains an equal number of electrons and protons.
Atoms that either contains a negative or a positive charge.
Classifications
No further Classification
Classified into Cations and Anions
Number of Electrons
Equal to the number of Protons
Not Equal to the number of Protons
Electrical Charge
Neutral
Positive or Negatively charged
Reaction to Electric Field
No reaction
Attracted or repulsed
Presentation
Neutral Formula of Atom
The formula of Atom with respect to bearing charge
Examples
Neon as Ne, Iron by Fe, etc.
Cobalt ion as Co 2+ and Nitride as N3-
Atom and Ion Definitions
Atom
A part or particle considered to be an irreducible constituent of a specified system.
Ion
An atom or a group of atoms that has acquired a net electric charge by gaining or losing one or more electrons.
Atom
The irreducible, indestructible material unit postulated by ancient atomism.
Ion
An atom or group of atoms bearing an electrical charge, such as the sodium and chlorine atoms in a salt solution.
Atom
An extremely small part, quantity, or amount.
Ion
An atom or goup of atoms (radical) carrying an electrical charge. It is contrasted with neutral atoms or molecules, and free radicals. Certain compounds, such as sodium chloride, are composed of complementary ions in the solid (crystalline) as well as in solution. Others, notably acids such as hydrogen chloride, may occur as neutral molecules in the pure liquid or gas forms, and ionize almost completely in dilute aqueous solutions. In solutions (as in water) ions are frequently bound non-covalently with the molecules of solvent, and in that case are said to be solvated. According to the electrolytic dissociation theory, the molecules of electrolytes are divided into ions by water and other solvents. An ion consists of one or more atoms and carries one unit charges of electricity, 3.4 x 10-10 electrostatic units, or a multiple of this. Those which are positively electrified (hydrogen and the metals) are called cations; negative ions (hydroxyl and acidic atoms or groups) are called anions.
Atom
The smallest unit of an element, having all the characteristics of that element and consisting of a very small and dense central nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by one or more shells of orbiting electrons. Atoms remain undivided in chemical reactions except for the donation, acceptance, or exchange of valence electrons.
Ion
One of the small electrified particles into which the molecules of a gas are broken up under the action of the electric current, of ultraviolet and certain other rays, and of high temperatures. To the properties and behavior of ions the phenomena of the electric discharge through rarefied gases and many other important effects are ascribed. At low pressures the negative ions appear to be electrons; the positive ions, atoms minus an electron. At ordinary pressures each ion seems to include also a number of attached molecules. Ions may be formed in a gas in various ways.
Atom
This unit regarded as a source of nuclear energy.
Ion
A particle that is electrically charged (positive or negative); an atom or molecule or group that has lost or gained one or more electrons
Atom
The smallest possible amount of matter which still retains its identity as a chemical element, now known to consist of a nucleus surrounded by electrons.
Atom
(history of science) A hypothetical particle posited by Greek philosophers as an ultimate and indivisible component of matter.
Atom
The smallest, indivisible constituent part or unit of something.
Atom
(philosophy) In logical atomism, a fundamental fact that cannot be further broken down.
Atom
(historical) The smallest medieval unit of time, equal to fifteen ninety-fourths of a second.
Atom
A mote of dust in a sunbeam.
Atom
A very small amount; a whit.
Atom
An individual number or symbol, as opposed to a list; a scalar value.
Atom
(mathematics) A non-zero member of a partially ordered set that has only zero below it (assuming that the poset has a least element, its "zero").
In a Venn diagram, an atom is depicted as an area circumscribed by lines but not cut by any line.
Atom
An element of a set that is not itself a set; an urelement.
Atom
An age group division in hockey for nine- to eleven-year-olds.
Atom
An ultimate indivisible particle of matter.
Atom
The smallest particle of matter that can enter into combination; one of the elementary constituents of a molecule.
Atom
Anything extremely small; a particle; a whit.
There was not an atom of water.
Atom
(physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element
Atom
(nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
Atom vs. Ion
An atom is a fundamental unit of all matters in this universe, thus deriving all components. In contrast, Ion is charge bearing atom, i.e. that contains a positive or a negative charge. Atoms have no further classifications and is a fundamental unit they compose of matter founded in the universe, but, Ions further classified into two types as Cations and Anions based on their carrying a positive or negative charge.
Atoms are composed of equal protons and electrons as in their existing natural forms as a whole with varying numbers of electrons and protons with varying atomic numbers. Whereas, Ions contain an odd or unequal number of electrons and protons as atom attracts an electron in their outermost shell or lose an electron to another atom to become an ion.
Atoms bear a net neutral charge due to the equal number of protons that carry a positive charge and electrons that carry a negative charge. While Ions bear a net positive or a negative charge due to the unequal number of electrons and protons, i.e. they attract an electron in their outermost shell or lose an electron to another atom. Atoms do not bear any electrical charge, i.e. net neutral charge thus does not show any attraction or repulsion to electric fields. However, as Ions carry a net positive or a negative charge; therefore, they are attractive or repulsive to electric fields as per their bearing charge.
Atoms denoted by a simple molecular formula of an element are represented neutral due to no charge. In contrast, Ions are denoted by a charge either negative or positive, representing the number of excess or lost electrons as per their carrying charge. Atoms have examples as Neon is represented by Ne and Iron is represented by Fe and respectively, whereas, Ions have examples as Cobalt ion is denoted by Co 2+ and Nitride – N3- and respectively.
What is an Atom?
Atoms are the fundamental unit of all matters in this universe as they derive all components. In early times, scientists believed that Atoms could not further divide, which was voided by the discovery of protons, electron, and nucleus. The atomic theory describes the structure of an Atom as how an Atom is composed of electrons and protons. In modern times, this theory is preceded by modern atomic theory according to which Atoms composed of two components. These components are the nucleus and subatomic particles.
Atoms have no further classifications and being a fundamental unit they compose of matter founded in the universe. And as described above, composed of equal protons and electrons as in their existing natural forms with varying atomic number. Atoms bear as a result net neutral charge due to the equivalent number of protons that carry a positive charge and electrons that carry a negative charge. They also do not show any attraction or repulsion to electric fields.
Atoms can form chemical bonds with each other to form molecules and compounds. These bonds can either be a covalent bond, ionic bond, or metallic bonds. These bonds are formed between the Atoms due to the exchange of electrons with each other.
However, protons and neutrons do not directly take part in bond formation. Atoms denoted by a simple molecular formula of an element and are represented neutral due to no charge. Some common examples of Atoms include Neon Atoms, which are represented by Ne and Hydrogen, which is represented by H and, respectively.
What is Ion?
Ion is an Atom or Molecules that bear a net charge, i.e. that contain a positive or a negative charge. Because when an Atom or a Molecule attracts an electron in their outermost shell or loses an electron to another Atom, it becomes an Ion. They further classified into two types as Cations and Anions based on their carrying a positive or negative charge.
Anions are the Ions that bear a net negative charge by gaining excess electrons from their surrounding atoms or molecules because the protons in the nucleus get unable to neutralize the impact of gained electrons. Cations are the kind of atoms or molecules that, by losing electrons from their outermost shell exposed to the environment, bear a net positive charge.
Ions as bear a net positive or a negative charge, thus show attraction or repulsion towards electric fields as per their bearing charge. They are also able to form ionic bonds. These ionic bonds are formed in response to these attracted ions, which are attracted to each other by the electrostatic force of attraction because of two opposite charges on these atoms. These Ions are denoted by a charge, either negative or positive, representing the number of excess or lost electrons. Common examples of Ions are, Cobalt that is denoted by Co 2+, and Nitride that is denoted by N3- and respectively.
