Are Ions Stable? Understanding Their Power

[Femme_physics]

Whenever I think of an ion I think of an atom that can generate electricity. Something powerful. I wonder, if an ionic state is a pretty rare state to be in that only happens under special, and mostly temporary conditions? Or, is my view of ions wrong?

 

[Borek]

Your view of ions is wrong. Nothing about generating electricity, in most cases they can be safely treated just as a stable, charged particles.

 

[Femme_physics]

But if they're charged doesn't it make them more dangerous, reactive, and electricity-generating?

 

[Borek]

No. Quite the opposite. Sodium in metallic (just atoms) form is quite reactive and dangerous, as Na⁺ it is quite safe and present everywhere - in water, your body, everything you eat and so on. Same about chlorine (highly reactive and highly toxic) and chloride anions (mostly harmless).

 

[Femme_physics]

That's interesting info...