An electrically charged atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons. A fundamental concept in chemistry and physics.
From Greek 'ion', present participle of 'ienai' meaning 'to go'. Coined by physicist Michael Faraday in 1834 for particles that 'go' toward electrodes during electrolysis.
Faraday's choice of 'ion' (meaning 'going') perfectly captures the restless nature of these charged particles that are always moving toward their opposites. It's poetic that something so fundamental to chemistry has a name rooted in simple motion.
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