Study for the Colorado Esthetician Written Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your esthetician license!

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What is an ion?

  1. An atom without electrons

  2. An atom or molecule with a neutral charge

  3. An atom or molecule that carries an electrical charge

  4. A molecule with a balanced charge

The correct answer is: An atom or molecule that carries an electrical charge

An ion is an atom or molecule that carries an electrical charge. This charge can be positive or negative, depending on whether the ion has gained or lost electrons. In the case of ions, they are not neutral like option B suggests; they have an imbalance of electrons which results in the electrical charge mentioned in option C.