Charged atoms

Charged Up and Ready to Go: Cracking the Crossword Clue

Ah, the joy of a good crossword puzzle! That satisfying “click” when the right answer finally falls into place, the feeling of accomplishment after conquering a tricky clue… there’s nothing quite like it.

But what about those clues that leave you scratching your head? You know, the ones that seem to be written in a language all their own? Today, we’re tackling one such clue, one that dives into the fascinating world of chemistry and the building blocks of matter.

Get ready to delve into the microscopic realm of atoms and the electric charge that can make them quite the puzzle pieces! Let’s crack this crossword clue wide open!

The Clue:

Atoms with a positive or negative charge

Ready to tackle this clue? Let’s break it down together!

First, we need to understand what we’re dealing with. The clue points to

atoms

, the fundamental units of matter. They are the tiny particles that make up everything around us, from the air we breathe to the ground we walk on.

Now, the clue throws in a crucial detail:

“positive or negative charge.”

This is where things get interesting.

Atoms are made up of even tinier particles called

protons, neutrons, and electrons

. Protons carry a

positive charge

, while electrons carry a

negative charge

. Neutrons, as their name suggests, are neutral.

The number of protons in an atom determines its

atomic number

, which defines the element it represents. For example, all hydrogen atoms have one proton, while all carbon atoms have six.

The balance between protons and electrons is crucial to an atom’s stability. When this balance is disrupted, the atom gains or loses electrons, resulting in a

net charge

– either positive or negative.

This is where our crossword clue comes in.

It refers to these atoms that have gained or lost electrons, upsetting the proton-electron balance and giving them a net charge.

So, what do we call these charged atoms?

That’s your challenge for today! Think about the terms used in chemistry to describe these electrically charged particles.

Let me know in the comments if you’ve cracked the clue and what your reasoning was! I can’t wait to see your insights!

Available Answers:

IONS.

Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Thomas Joseph – King Feature Syndicate Crossword – Oct 25 2024