Cation:
In chemistry, a cation is a positively charged ion that forms when an atom or molecule loses one or more electrons.
Characteristics:
- Cations are formed by the loss of electrons from atoms or molecules.
- They carry a positive charge.
- The number of protons in a cation is greater than the number of electrons.
- They are attracted to anions (negatively charged ions) through electrostatic forces, forming ionic compounds.
Formation:
Cations are typically formed through various chemical processes such as:
- Oxidation: When an atom or molecule loses electrons during a redox reaction, it becomes a cation.
- Electron transfer: Cations can be formed by the transfer of electrons from a neutral atom to another atom or molecule.
- Ionization: Ionization refers to the process of adding or removing electrons from an atom or molecule, leading to the formation of cations.
Examples:
Examples of cations include:
- Sodium ion (Na+)
- Potassium ion (K+)
- Magnesium ion (Mg2+)
- Aluminum ion (Al3+)
- Ammonium ion (NH4+)
Cations play a crucial role in various chemical reactions and are integral to the understanding of many aspects of chemistry.