Question

can ions exist as gases or can they be only in aqueous state?

Answer 1

Well, the phases like solid, liquid and gas is all due to how densely the constituents(atoms, molecules, ions) of which a substance is made up are packed in it. Constituents of gas don't attract each other and wonder off freely while that of liquid do attract each other. That attraction is even more strong in Solids; it need to be such to remain solid.

Similar ions repel each other (coz they have same change which results force of repulsion).

Combine above two pieces of information and think for yourself.


Ions in pure form can be produced under intense heat. Like H2 will convert into H+ if very high energy is prpvided. And there in liquid form, you can find many ionic liquids which technically aren't compounds like ammonia dissolved in water will be NH4+ and OH- , or any strong acod or base.

In solids, you can find a full range of ionic salts like nacl, etc.

And the fourth physical state is plasma which is neither solid or gas or liquid.