All are true except the statement that ions are formed by changing the number protons in an atom’s nucleus.
A neutral atom contains the same number of protons (positive charge) and electrons (negative charge).
If there are more electrons than protons, the atom becomes a negative ion.
If there are fewer electrons than protons, the atom becomes a positive ion.
The protons are in the nucleus, where we can’t easily get at them. The electrons are outside the nucleus, so other chemicals can easily get at them and either remove them or add to their number.
Metals have only a few valence electrons, so it is fairly easy to remove them and form positive ions.
