ok guys! so! im in my first chemistry class and i dont understand what an ion is!! help please! i need a simple breakdown of how to understand chemistry

An ion is an atom or molecule that carries an electric charge.

Ions are identified by the use of a superscript to show the sign and size of their electric charge.

Negatively charged ions are called anions, and positively charged ions are called cations.

Explanation:

An atom is the smallest unit of ordinary matter that forms a chemical element. Every solid, liquid, gas, and plasma is composed of neutral or ionized atoms. Atoms are extremely small, typically around 100 picometers across.