• Atoms are the smallest particles that can exist in nature but not independently.
  • But noble gases (Neon, Argon, etc.) are stable as they have completely filled outermost shell (Octet rule - 8 electrons in the outermost shell) and can exist independently
  • On the other hand ions are formed when atoms lose or gain electrons . Thus they are either positively or negatively charged.
  • The atoms do not have completely filled outermost shell .
  • This makes them unstable and cannot exist independently
  • So they lose or gain electrons to attain noble gas configuration and thus stability.
  • So ions have noble gas configurations and atoms don’t.
  • Thus the ions are more stable as against the atoms.

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Maninder Singh

CA Maninder Singh is a Chartered Accountant for the past 13 years and a teacher from the past 17 years. He teaches Science, Economics, Accounting and English at Teachoo