An atom can be an ion, but not all ions are atoms. The difference between an atom and an ion has to do with net electrical charge. An ion is a particle or collection of particles with a net positive or negative charge. ... A stable atom contains the same number of electrons as protons and no net charge.
Atom
1. Electrically - neutral particles .
2. May or may not exist - independently.
3. Outermost shell - may or may not have duplet or octet.
4. Other than noble gases they have unstable electronic
configuration.
5. They combine to form molecules.
6. They do not have a electrostatic force of attraction
i.e., they lose,or share electron to have stable
7. It takes place betweem a metal and a non- metal.
Ions
1. Electrically - charged particles (cations, anions)
2. Exist - independently in solution.
3. Outermost shell - have complete duplet or octet.
4. Every ions have stable electronic configuration.
5. They combine and leads to the formation of an
electrovalent bond.
6. They have a electrostaic force of attraction in them.
7. It takes place between electrically charged ions