What exactly are sodium and potassium ions?
OK before you read the next bit it might be a good idea to have a look at a periodic table below (You can see bigger image by clicking on the picture). All the elements are arranged in order of their atomic number. This is the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom with hydrogen, the lightest element having one proton and the the heaviest known element 118. Scientist have just discovered the element with atomic no 117! It’s so new it isn’t on any periodic tables yet. Find out about its discovery here http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/science/07element.html The Periodic Table Hmm – well back to rather less exotic elements sodium an potassium! Now sodium has 11 protons in its nucleus (which are positively charged) balanced by 11 electrons (which are negatively charge) so overall it’s a neutral atom. When sodium reacts it gives up one of these electrons as it’s more stable that way and now has 11 positive protons and ten negative electrons so it now has an overall positive charge. W
