1. IONS, YOU WILL GET A CHARGE OUT OF THIS!
An ion is a charged particle formed when electrons are lost (+ ion) or gained (-ion).
1-The number of protons does NOT change.
2-RULE – each GAINED electron is indicated by a - charge , shown as a superscript in the upper right corner of the symbol.
3-RULE – each LOST electron is indicated by a + charge , shown as a superscript in the upper right corner of the symbol.
6C-2
THIS CARBON ION HAS GAINED 2 ELECTRONS,HAS 2 MORE THAN THE GROUND STATE ATOM
6C+2
THIS CARBON ION HAS LOST 2 ELECTRONS, IT HAS 2 LESS THAN THE GROUND STATE ATOM

2. 4-The electrons are gained or lost form the valence (outer) shell only.
5-Positve ions result when a proton is no longer neutralized by the a lost electron.
6-A negative ion results when a gained electron has no proton to neutralize it (remember atoms cannot gain (or lose) protons).
EXAMPLE: diagram +1, +2, -1, -2 ions of N. 6C
2-4
Always write the ground state ATOM as a comparison. No charge written indicates a neutral particle
6C+1
2-3
A positive one indicates ONE electron was lost by the ION as compared to the ground state ATOM
6C+2
2-2
A positive two indicates TWO electrons was lost by the ION as compared to the ground state ATOM
6C-1
2-5
A negative one indicates ONE electron was gained by the ION as compared to the ground state ATOM

3. 6C-2
2-6
A negative one indicates TWO electrons were gained by the ION as compared to the ground state ATOM
6C-2
2-6
A negative two indicates TWO electrons were gained by the ION as compared to the ground state ATOM