Memory tricks and mnemonics:
 Symbols for protons, neutrons, and electrons
+
o protons are positive (p for positive)  p
o neutrons are neutral (n for neutral)  n (no superscript because no charge)
o electrons are the only one left, so they’re negative  e

In a neutral atom the number of protons must match the number or electrons in order to
balance out the charge (otherwise all objects would have charge and would be attracted or
repelled by other objects)
o atoms are in everything, even IN PEE
 In Neutral, Protons Equal Electrons

Protons and Neutrons are about the same mass, but are WAY bigger than Electrons
o Atoms are in babies and pets, and babies and pets like to EAT and NAPS
 Electrons Are Tiny and Neutrons And Protons are Same

A charged atom is called an ion:
o It's Opposite of Neutral
o It Omits Neutral

only electrons can change in an atom to change the charge (otherwise the element
changes)
o Remember the "I ACE" test
 Ions Always Change Electrons

If a neutral atom gains extra electrons it becomes more negative than positive (has more
electrons than protons) and is called an anion
o anion --> A Negative ION
o gaining (or adding) an electron (negative charge) is like adding a negative charge,
so + -  -

If a neutral atom loses electrons it becomes more positive than negative (has more
protons than electrons). This is called a cation
o I like cats, so to me a cat is a positive thing, so a CATion is a positive ion)
o Cats have paws and cations are pawsitive
o ca+ion
o Loosing (subtracting) an electron (negative charge) is like subtracting a negative
so the result is positive: - -  +
Memory tricks and mnemonics:
 Symbols for protons, neutrons, and electrons
+
o protons are positive (p for positive)  p
o neutrons are neutral (n for neutral)  n (no superscript because no charge)
o electrons are the only one left, so they’re negative  e

In a neutral atom the number of protons must match the number or electrons in order to
balance out the charge (otherwise all objects would have charge and would be attracted or
repelled by other objects)
o atoms are in everything, even IN PEE
 In Neutral, Protons Equal Electrons

Protons and Neutrons are about the same mass, but are WAY bigger than Electrons
o Atoms are in babies and pets, and babies and pets like to EAT and NAPS
 Electrons Are Tiny and Neutrons And Protons are Same

A charged atom is called an ion:
o It's Opposite of Neutral
o It Omits Neutral

only electrons can change in an atom to change the charge (otherwise the element
changes)
o Remember the "I ACE" test
 Ions Always Change Electrons

If a neutral atom gains extra electrons it becomes more negative than positive (has more
electrons than protons) and is called an anion
o anion --> A Negative ION
o gaining (or adding) an electron (negative charge) is like adding a negative charge,
so + -  -

If a neutral atom loses electrons it becomes more positive than negative (has more
protons than electrons). This is called a cation
o I like cats, so to me a cat is a positive thing, so a CATion is a positive ion)
o Cats have paws and cations are pawsitive
o ca+ion
o Loosing (subtracting) an electron (negative charge) is like subtracting a negative
so the result is positive: - -  +