Charging of Ions: Attraction or Process?

[Adam Scott]

Just a quick question i wonder some one could help me with, when ions charge do they attract the charge in some way or does the charge have to be some how taken to them throught a thrid party reaction or process,

and does enviorment have any affect in the charging process


thankyou

 

[mathman]

Ions are formed from atoms by adding or removing electrons. There are many ways. Among them are two completely different ways. Dissolve salt in water and the salt will end up as sodium ions (missing an electron) and Chlorine ions (extra electron). Another way is to heat something to a high enough temperature to get a plasma consisting of free electrons and residual positive ions.