Understanding Ions: The Basics
What are ions?
An ion is defined as an atom or a molecule which has a net electrical charge. There are 2 types of ions: cation and anion. What is the difference between cation and anion?
- Cation is a ______ charged ion.
- Anion is a ______ charged ion.
Answer:
Cations are positively charged ions, while anions are negatively charged ions. They are oppositely charged and attract each other, forming ionic bonds.
Ions are crucial in various chemical reactions and play a significant role in the formation of compounds. When dissolved in water, ionic compounds dissociate into ions that make up the compound. For example, NaCl in water will form sodium ions (Na⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻).
There are two main types of ions: cations and anions. Cations are positively charged ions, while anions are negatively charged ions. The opposite charges of cations and anions attract each other, leading to the formation of ionic bonds.
Mono-atomic ions consist of a single atom, while poly-atomic ions consist of two or more atoms. These ions are created through chemical interactions and are highly reactive in their gaseous state. They readily react with oppositely charged ions, resulting in the formation of neutral molecules.