Cations and Anions: Definitions, Examples, and Differences
Technically, any atom or molecule can form both cations and anions. For example, a hydrogen atom usually has a +1 oxidation state, but sometimes it gains an electron and has a -1 charge! That being said, metals usually form cations, while nonmetals usually form anions. To put it another way, elements on the left … See more
Cations are ions that have a positive charge. The word “cation” comes from the Greek word ánō, which means “up.” Examples of cations include: 1. Silver: Ag+ 2. Hydronium: H3O+ 3. Ammonium: NH4+ Because an electron … See more
Anions are ions with a negative charge. The word “anion” comes from the Greek word káto, meaning “down.” Examples of anions include: 1. Hydroxide anion: OH– 2. Oxide anion: O2- 3. Sulfate anion: SO42- Electrons are … See more
The chemical formula of a compound is always written with the cation first, followed by the anion. For example, Na is the cation and Cl is … See more
There are a couple of simple mnemonics used to remember a cation is positive and an anion is negative. First, you can use the letters of the words. The “t” in “cation” is like a plus symbol. The letters in the word “anion” can … See more
Explore further
Cation Definition and Examples - ThoughtCo
WebA cation is an ionic species with a positive charge. The word "cation" comes from the Greek word "kato," which means "down." A cation has more protons than electrons, giving it a …
Ion - Wikipedia
An ion is an atom or molecule with a net electrical charge. The charge of an electron is considered to be negative by convention and this charge is equal and opposite to the charge of a proton, which is considered to be positive by convention. The net charge of an ion is not zero because its total number of electrons is unequal to its total number of protons.
Wikipedia · Text under CC-BY-SA license- People also ask
7.3: Cations - Chemistry LibreTexts
WebSep 20, 2022 · Cations play important roles in our daily lives. Sodium, potassium, and magnesium ions are essential for such processes as blood pressure regulation and …
- Estimated Reading Time: 4 mins
Cation | chemistry | Britannica
Webcation, atom or group of atoms that bears a positive electric charge. See ion. Home Science Chemistry. Science & Tech. phase. state of matter. Written by. Ernest G. Ehlers. …
Introduction to ions (video) | Khan Academy
WebFeb 26, 2017 · About. Transcript. An atom with an electric charge is called an ion. A positively charged ion (a cation) has more protons than electrons. A negatively charged ion (an anion) has more electrons than protons. Questions. Tips & Thanks. Want to join the …
Naming ions and ionic compounds (article) | Khan Academy
WebCations and anions. When a neutral atom loses one or more electrons, the total number of electrons decreases while the number of protons in the nucleus remains the same. The …
Cation vs Anion: Definition, Chart and the Periodic Table
WebAug 15, 2019 · What is a cation? What is an anion? Cation vs anion chart. Cation vs anion periodic table. Cation vs anion size. Utilizing ionic properties. Cations vs anions – what’s …
Cations and Anions | Ions | ChemTalk
WebA cation is an ion that has lost one or more electrons, giving a net positive charge. Because one or more electrons are removed to form a cation, the cation of an atom is smaller than the neutral atom. Examples of cations …
Ion | Definition, Chemistry, Examples, & Facts | Britannica
WebMar 11, 2024 · ion, any atom or group of atoms that bears one or more positive or negative electrical charges. Positively charged ions are called cations; negatively charged ions, …
- Some results have been removed
Skip to content
