What is a primary characteristic of the negatively charged atoms in a cyclotron?

Negatively charged atoms, often referred to as ions, are produced in the ion source of a cyclotron. The cyclotron is a type of particle accelerator that uses magnetic fields to accelerate charged particles to high speeds. In this case, the ion source generates negatively charged ions, which then get injected into the cyclotron. This process is essential for initiating the acceleration of these particles, allowing them to eventually collide with a target and produce radioactive isotopes used in PET imaging.

The other options pertain to different aspects of atomic and particle behavior rather than directly addressing the primary characteristic of negatively charged atoms in a cyclotron. For instance, while these ions may require manipulation at certain energy levels, the statement about high energy is not specifically defining their characteristic. Additionally, negatively charged ions do not ionize the surrounding gas as a primary characteristic nor do they maintain stable orbits around the nucleus—these aspects relate more to neutral atoms or particles in different contexts. Thus, the option highlighting their origin from the ion source serves as the best representation of their primary characteristic in the context of cyclotron operation.