15\. Open the Build an Atom simulation (http://openstax.orgh/16PhetAtomBId) (a) Drag protons, neutrons, and electrons onto the atom template to make a neutral atom of Lithium- 6 and give the isotope symbol for this atom. (b) Now remove one electron to make an ion and give the symbol for the ion you have created.

An isotope symbol is a succinct way to convey essential information about an atom's identity and its isotopic form. It provides a visual shorthand for scientists to quickly understand an atom's structure. To grasp this concept, consider the case of Lithium-6. The isotope symbol is expressed as \(^{6}_3Li\), where 'Li' is the chemical symbol for lithium, '3' (the subscript) is the atomic number representing the number of protons in the nucleus, and '6' (the superscript) is the mass number, the sum of protons and neutrons.

When you encounter an isotope symbol, you're looking at the unique identification of an isotope. This is critical because isotopes of the same element differ in neutron count and therefore have diverse physical properties that can be crucial in scientific and medical applications. For instance, isotopes may be used in dating artifacts, treating cancer, or imaging internal organs.

Understanding atomic composition is central to the study of chemistry and physics. Every atom is constructed from three kinds of subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons carry a positive charge, electrons are negatively charged, and neutrons have no charge. The atomic composition of an element like Lithium-6 is defined by its number of protons (atomic number) and its mass number (total of protons and neutrons).

For a more tangible example, building the neutral atom of Lithium-6 means combining 3 protons (atomic number) and 3 neutrons (to achieve the mass number 6), along with 3 electrons to balance the charges, resulting in a neutral atom. It's like putting together a puzzle where the pieces must add up to create a stable structure. These intricacies of atomic composition dictate each element's unique behaviors and interactions, forming the groundwork for chemical reactions and the diversity of matter in the universe.

Ion formation is a process that significantly alters the electrical charge of an atom by adding or removing electrons. When an atom loses electrons it becomes positively charged, known as a cation, whereas if it gains electrons it becomes negatively charged, or an anion.

In the context of Lithium-6, removing one electron from its neutral state makes it a lithium ion with a charge of +1, which is notated as \(^{6}_3Li^+\). This ion is no longer balanced in terms of its electric charge, having one more proton than electrons. Ion formation is a pivotal concept that underpins much of chemistry, including the formation of salts, electrical conductivity in substances, and even the firing of neurons in our bodies. Understanding how ions form and interact is essential to unraveling the complexities of both the inorganic world and biological systems.