Ion

electricity · atoms · chemistry

Charged particles. An ion forms when an atom or molecule loses or gains electrons. This imbalance between electrons and protons creates an electrical charge, kind of like when a balloon gets charged with static electricity.

Positive or negative. When an atom loses electrons, it becomes positively charged because it has more protons than electrons. When it gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged because it has more electrons than protons.

Common in salt water. Table salt dissolved in water breaks into ions: sodium ions (positive) and chloride ions (negative). This is why salt water conducts electricity and ocean water can transmit electrical signals.

Powers batteries. Batteries work by moving ions from one terminal to another, creating the flow of electricity that powers your phone or toy. The chemical reactions inside push ions around to generate electrical energy.

Found everywhere. Ions exist in your body, in the air, in lightning, and inside stars. They are essential for life because your nerves and muscles use ions to send signals and contract.