Compared to its neutral atom, an ion has the same number of

Compared to its neutral atom, an ion has the same number of

• A. protons but a different number of electrons.
• B. neutrons but a different number of protons.
• C. electrons but a different number of protons.
• D. neutrons but a different number of electrons.

Answer: (A)

When an atom becomes an ion, the change is in the electrons, not the nucleus. Ionization involves removing or adding electrons, which gives the atom a positive or negative charge, while the number of protons in the nucleus stays the same. Neutrons also don’t change during this process. So, compared to its neutral atom, an ion has the same number of protons but a different number of electrons. The other options would require changing the nucleus or neutrons, which doesn’t happen in ion formation.

When an atom becomes an ion, the change is in the electrons, not the nucleus. Ionization involves removing or adding electrons, which gives the atom a positive or negative charge, while the number of protons in the nucleus stays the same. Neutrons also don’t change during this process. So, compared to its neutral atom, an ion has the same number of protons but a different number of electrons. The other options would require changing the nucleus or neutrons, which doesn’t happen in ion formation.