An atom of oxygen has more electrons than a neutral oxygen atom. What is this called?

Rationale

An atom of oxygen with more electrons than a neutral oxygen atom is called an ion.

When an atom gains or loses electrons, it becomes an ion. In the case of oxygen, if it has more electrons than protons, it bears a negative charge and is specifically referred to as an anion.

A (Isotope) YOUR ANSWER

Isotopes refer to atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This concept does not apply to the electron count, which is related to the atom's charge rather than its isotopic identity. Therefore, an isotope cannot be defined by the presence of extra electrons.

B (Ion) CORRECT

An ion is defined as an atom or molecule that has a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons. In the case of oxygen, when it has more electrons than protons, it becomes an anion, confirming that this option correctly identifies the situation described in the question.

C (Both are correct) YOUR ANSWER

This choice suggests that both isotopes and ions are valid answers to the question. However, since the definition of an ion specifically pertains to the electron count and charge, and isotopes are unrelated to electron configuration, this option is misleading and incorrect.

D (None of the above) YOUR ANSWER

Choosing this option implies that none of the provided terms describe an atom of oxygen with more electrons than a neutral oxygen atom. However, this is incorrect, as 'ion' accurately describes such an atom, making this choice invalid.

Conclusion

An atom of oxygen with more electrons than its neutral state is classified as an ion, specifically an anion. Understanding this distinction between ions and isotopes is crucial in fields like chemistry and physics, where electron count influences chemical behavior and properties. The other options do not accurately represent the situation described, reinforcing that 'ion' is the correct term.

An atom of oxygen has more electrons than a neutral oxygen atom. What is this called?

An atom of oxygen with more electrons than a neutral oxygen atom is called an ion.

Related Questions

Related Quizzes

How familiar were you with this question?

Report an Issue

Rate this Practice Test