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Aluminium has 3 electron shells with 3 electrons in the outer shell.

Atomic Structure 2

Learn how ions are made when atoms become charged. This GCSE Chemistry quiz helps you track electrons, predict ion charges, and link ions to reactions.

Explore the Topic →

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Fascinating Fact:

Ions form when atoms gain or lose electrons, not when they change protons. Losing electrons makes a positive ion, gaining electrons makes a negative ion.

In GCSE Chemistry, ions help explain why some substances conduct electricity, why salts form, and how ionic bonding happens. You will practise showing charges, using brackets for groups, and recognising common ions in formulae and reactions.

Key Terms

Ion: A particle with an overall electrical charge.
Charge: The positive or negative value shown on an ion, written as a small number with a + or − sign.
Electron transfer: When electrons move from one atom to another, often when a metal reacts with a non-metal.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is an ion in GCSE Chemistry?

An ion is a charged particle formed when an atom or group of atoms has an unequal number of protons and electrons, giving it an overall positive or negative charge.

How do you work out the charge on an ion?

You work out the charge by comparing how many electrons are needed or removed to reach a full outer shell, then write that number as the ion’s charge, for example 2+ or 1−.

What is the difference between a cation and an anion?

A cation is a positively charged ion and an anion is a negatively charged ion. In ionic substances, opposite charges attract to form a lattice.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

There are two elements that are liquid at room temperature. They are...

chlorine and mercury

bromine and chlorine

mercury and bromine

mercury and phosphorus

This property cannot be predicted using atomic structure

2 .

An element has 2 electron shells with 6 electrons in its outer shell. Which element is it?

Oxygen

Aluminium

Boron

Chlorine

Oxygen has an atomic number of 8

3 .

An element has 3 electron shells with 3 electrons in the outer shell. Which element is it?

Oxygen

Aluminium

Boron

Chlorine

Aluminium has the atomic number of 13 so it has 2 electrons in the first energy level (shell), 8 in the second leaving 3 in the outermost

4 .

Pick the name for the element with 6 electrons.

Carbon

Boron

Nitrogen

Make sure you give the name when you are asked for the name

5 .

Chlorine has two isotopes, one with atomic mass 35 and one with atomic mass 37. Pick the correct combination of subatomic particles for the two isotopes.

Cl 35 - 17 Protons; 17 Neutrons; 18 Electrons
Cl 37 - 20 Protons; 17 Neutrons; 17 Electrons

Cl 35 - 17 Protons; 18 Neutrons; 17 Electrons
Cl 37 - 17 Protons; 20 Neutrons; 17 Electrons

Cl 35 - 18 Protons; 18 Neutrons; 17 Electrons
Cl 37 - 17 Protons; 18 Neutrons; 20 Electrons

Cl 35 - 17 Protons; 17 Neutrons; 18 Electrons
Cl 37 - 17 Protons; 20 Neutrons; 20 Electrons

Isotopes have the same number of protons and electrons, but a different number of neutrons

6 .

Name the element that contains 12 protons, 12 electrons and 12 neutrons.

Sodium

Magnesium

Potassium

Aluminium

Atomic number of magnesium is 12, mass number 24

7 .

If the temperature is increased to 100°C, which element does NOT become a liquid?

Potassium

Gallium

Phosphorus

Lithium

The melting point of Lithium is 180°C

8 .

Pick the correct symbol for the element with the mass number 84.

Bromine

Krypton

Make sure that when you are asked for the symbol, you give the symbol and NOT the name

9 .

An element has 45 electrons around its nucleus. The element is...

rhodium

ruthenium

osmium

iridium

Atomic number = 45 = number of protons = number of electrons

10 .

Pick the symbol pairs for elements that do NOT have the same number of neutrons in their nuclei.

K and Ca

Na and Mg

F and Ne

Li and Be

Li has 4 neutrons and Be has 5 neutrons

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Atomic structure

Author: Kate Gardiner (Chemistry Educator & GCSE Quiz Writer)

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