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31 Dec 2025

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Understanding Atoms to Ions in Chemistry

kitsyea

@kitsyea

Ever wonder why some elements are super reactive whilst others... Show more

gold, tiranium
+
Samarium
:3
Key Words
atoms
neutrons
protons
electrons
24th November
☆ Atoms
ions
isotope-aroms of the same type with the s

Atoms, Ions, and the Periodic Table

Atoms are made up of three key particles that determine everything about how elements behave. Protons carry a positive charge, electrons carry a negative charge, and neutrons have no charge at all.

Here's where it gets interesting: isotopes are atoms of the same element that have identical numbers of protons and electrons, but different numbers of neutrons. Think of them as slightly different versions of the same element - like having different flavours of the same crisp!

The periodic table is brilliantly organised around electron behaviour. Group 1 elements have 1 electron in their outer shell, group 2 has 2, and so on. This pattern explains why elements in the same group act similarly.

Noble gases are the ultimate goal for every atom because they have a full outer shell of 8 electrons. Every other atom wants to copy this stable arrangement, which drives all chemical reactions.

Key Insight: Groups 1-3 lose electrons to become positive ions, whilst groups 6-7 gain electrons to become negative ions. Groups 4-5 prefer sharing electrons because losing or gaining would require too much energy.

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31 Dec 2025

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1 page

Understanding Atoms to Ions in Chemistry

kitsyea

@kitsyea

Ever wonder why some elements are super reactive whilst others barely react at all? It all comes down to how atoms behave and what they'll do to become more stable - including stealing or giving away electrons to transform into... Show more

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Atoms, Ions, and the Periodic Table

Noble gases are the ultimate goal for every atom because they have a full outer shell of 8 electrons. Every other atom wants to copy this stable arrangement, which drives all chemical reactions.

Key Insight: Groups 1-3 lose electrons to become positive ions, whilst groups 6-7 gain electrons to become negative ions. Groups 4-5 prefer sharing electrons because losing or gaining would require too much energy.