Question

How are ions formed?

Answer 1

Hint: An atom gets converted into an ion if by some external means there is a loss of gain of electrons in that atom. Ions try to reach their nearest noble gas configuration.

Complete answer:
In order to answer the question, let us get to know what ions actually are. Before that, we all know that matter is made up of atoms and atoms itself are made up of electrons, neutrons and protons. The neutrons and protons are immobile, so charge transfer only takes place with the help of electrons. Now, when due to external factors, there is an addition or subtraction of electrons from an atom, then the atom is not stable. This atom is now called an ion. We know that electrons are negatively charged, now when an electron is extracted from an atom then the negative charges go out, so we say that the atom is a positively charged ion. Whereas if electrons, or negative charges are added to an atom then it becomes overall negatively charged and we call it a negatively charged ion.
Ions can be formed in many ways, one of them is the rupture of bonds or dissociation. When common salt sodium chloride is added to water, then dissociation of it takes place and the salt breaks down into its constituent ions which are $N{{a}^{+}}$ and $C{{l}^{-}}$ ions. Now, the sodium ion is positively charged, so we will call it the cation and the chlorine ion is negatively charged, so we call it the anion. An ionic compound consists of both the anion and the cation.
This is how ions are formed.

Note:
It is to be noted that ions are unstable and every ion would try to gain or lose an electron so that the atom reaches its octet configuration. Also, it is only because of these ions for which electricity is conducted.