Ions are atoms with either extra electrons or missing electrons. A normal atom is called a neutral atom. That term describes an atom with a number of electrons equal to the atomic number.
For example, a sodium (Na) atom have eleven electrons, one too many to have the shell filled. You need to find another element who will take that electron away from the atom. Bring in chlorine (Cl). Chlorine (Cl) will take that electron away and leave the sodium atom with 10 electrons inside of two filled shells. Now, it has became an ion and missing one electron. It is now a sodium ion (Na+). It has one less electron than its atomic number.
For example, a sodium (Na) atom have eleven electrons, one too many to have the shell filled. You need to find another element who will take that electron away from the atom. Bring in chlorine (Cl). Chlorine (Cl) will take that electron away and leave the sodium atom with 10 electrons inside of two filled shells. Now, it has became an ion and missing one electron. It is now a sodium ion (Na+). It has one less electron than its atomic number.
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