Hi Reid, I'm not a physicist but this is my understanding:
Electrons represent a negative charge and protons represent a positive charge. Some elements have the same number of electrons as they do protons. These guys are neutral. They have no charge. Some elements have an extra electron or they are missing an electron. They have a negative or positive charge (respectively). They are called ions. The element silver is missing an electron so it has a positive charge. A single atom of silver is a positive ion. So the electron didn't come off of the silver atom. That's the way they normally occur in nature. Like charges repel each other (like with magnetism). So if you have a glass full of water and silver ions, they will tend to repel each other rather than clump together. That's what helps them stay in suspension. Electricity happens when electrons jump from atom to atom. The atoms still have the same number of electrons. They are just trading places. Also, under certain circumstances you can force an atom to take up or give off an electron and change it's charge. Anyhow, that's how it was taught to me. I hope this helps. Best regards, Andy (^_^) From: Reid Harvey Friends, Can someone please tell me: When the electron comes off of the silver atom, what happens to it? Does it contrtibute to the ion staying in suspension? Thanks, Reid
