What is "CATIONS" and "ANIONS"?
2 Answers
They are ions of course...
Explanation:
Ions are charged elements or molecules, which do not have a neutral
Cations are ions that have a positive charge,
Anions are ions that have a negative charge,
Note that polyatomic ions exist, such as ammonium
They are elements that have gained or lost electrons.
Explanation:
When an element wishes to become stable (Have a full outer electron shell or valence shell) they will either gain or lose electrons (A subatomic particle in atoms).
When they lose electrons they lose electrons they become a cation, because there is more protons than electrons, so the have a positive charge.
When they gain electrons they become an anion, because they have more electrons compared to protons, so they then have a negative charge.
I remember the difference by cation has a cat and everyone likes cats, so it is positive. And anion sounds like onion and onions make you cry, so they are negative.
Nobel gases don't count as they are already stable.