My question relates to ions and the way they are explained in a particular text book I have.
The definition of an ion is an electrically charged particle. I know I'm splitting hairs here, but if you were being technical, wouldn't you say that the definition is an "electromagnetically" charged particle? Isn't it the magnetic force that creates the attraction between converse charges?
Next, let's say that I have an atom of Na+ (or an Na+ ion) and an atom of Cl- (or Cl- ion), my text says that when they come together, they "ionize" each other. When something is ionized it either gains or loses an electron and this is in fact what happens, so is it correct to say that the ions have ionized one another? Something doesn't seem right about that, so I thought I would ask. Maybe my premise is incorrect and those elements do not start off as ions in the first place but instead become ions after bonding...?
Thanks!
MM