Atoms with the same number of protons but with different electrical charges are called _____.

Atoms with the same number of protons but with different electrical charges are called ions. Specifically, they are classified into two types: cations and anions.

• Cations are atoms that have lost one or more electrons, resulting in a positive charge due to the greater number of protons compared to electrons.
• Anions, on the other hand, are atoms that have gained one or more electrons, leading to a negative charge because there are more electrons than protons.

The ability to gain or lose electrons allows atoms to interact and form compounds, and this behavior is fundamental to chemical reactions and bonding. The charge of ions plays a crucial role in determining how they will interact with other ions or molecules, which is essential in fields like chemistry, biology, and materials science.