What kind of ion is formed by barium?

1 Answer
Jan 21, 2017

A cation. It is by definition an atom that has lost one or more electrons. Since an electron has a negative #1# charge by designation, having a less negative charge by #x# gives a higher positive charge by #x#. That is, you form the ion #"M"^(x+)# for #x# number of electrons lost.

What is the common charge of the barium cation?