Ions
/ˈaɪ.ənz/noun
Charged atoms or molecules that have gained or lost electrons.
Did you know?The term was coined by Michael Faraday from Greek *ion* (“going”), because ions migrate toward opposite charges in electrolysis, making the word literally about motion before it became chemistry.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἰόν (ión)
“going; a thing that goes”
19th Century
English
ion
“a particle that moves toward an electrode during electrolysis”
19th Century
English
ions
“plural of ion, charged particles in solution or plasma”
Modern English
English
ions
“charged atoms or molecules that carry an electric charge”