Which of the following describes the state of an atom that is ionized?

An atom that is ionized is characterized by having either lost or gained electrons. This process results in an imbalance between the number of protons, which carry a positive charge, and electrons, which carry a negative charge. When electrons are lost, the atom becomes positively charged, forming a cation. Conversely, when an atom gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged, forming an anion. This change in charge leads to the atom's ionization.

In this context, the other options do not accurately reflect the nature of an ionized atom. A balanced charge would indicate that the atom remains neutral, which contradicts the definition of ionization. Weak interactions with other atoms typically pertain to molecules that are not highly charged, and being chemically inert refers to elements that do not readily react, often due to having a full valence shell, rather than being ionized. Therefore, the correct answer underscores the fundamental characteristic of ionization related to the loss or gain of electrons, leading to a net charge.