Show If an atom, or atoms, has a balanced number of electrons (negative charge) and protons (positive charge) they are neutral overall. However, if they are not balanced, they will be charged. These charged species are called ions. Cations vs anions – what’s the difference?Cations are ions that are positively charged. Anions are ions that are negatively charged. Ions are charged atoms or molecules. If a balanced atom loses one or more electrons, it will become a positively charged cation. If a balanced
atom gains one or more electrons, it will become a negatively charged anion. What is a cation?
What is an anion?
Cation vs anion chart
Metallic atoms hold some of their electrons relatively loosely. Consequently, they tend to lose electrons and form cations. Conversely, most nonmetallic atoms attract electrons more strongly than metallic atoms, and so gain electrons to form anions. Therefore, when atoms from a metallic and a nonmetallic element combine, the nonmetallic atoms tend to draw one or more electrons away from the metallic atoms to form ions. These oppositely charged ions then attract one other to form ionic bonds and produce ionic compounds with no overall net charge. Examples include calcium chloride (CaCl2), potassium iodide (KI) and magnesium oxide (MgO). Cation vs anion periodic table
Elements in group 18 of the periodic table – the “noble gases”, tend not to form ions due to the arrangement of their electrons which makes them generally unreactive. Cation vs anion size
Utilizing ionic properties
Ionic properties are central to the function of batteries too. Batteries have two electrodes made of conductive material, the cathode which is the positive end where the electrical current leaves/electrons enter, and the anode where the electrical current enters/ electrons leave. In between the electrodes is an electrolyte liquid or gel that contains charged particles – ions. As this ionic substance reacts with the electrodes it generates electrical current. In single use, dry cell batteries, zinc is commonly used as the anode whilst manganese dioxide is a popular choice for the electrolyte cathode. The zinc anode also acts as the battery’s container in zinc-carbon batteries so as it oxidizes during use, the contents can start to leak over time. A zinc-carbon dry cell battery (left) and alkaline battery (right).
Which is not a cation?Answer is sulphate ion.
What are examples of cations?Some examples of cations are Calcium (Ca2+), Potassium (K+), hydrogen (H+).
Which is the cation?Cations are ions that are positively charged. Anions are ions that are negatively charged. Ions are charged atoms or molecules. If a balanced atom loses one or more electrons, it will become a positively charged cation.
Is sodium a cation?Ionic compounds are the combination of cations and anions. In table salt, sodium chloride, sodium is the cation (Na+) and chloride is the anion (Cl-).
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