Atoms are electrically neutral ( # of protons = # of neutrons). Where as ions have different number of protons and electrons. Ions can be either positive (loss of an electron) or negative (gain of an electrons). Cation is a positive ion and an anion is a negative ion.
ex: Bromine (Br-) has a charge of - , therefore, it gains 1 electron making it an anion.
Phosphorus (P3-) has a charge of 3-, therefore, it gains 3 electrons making it an anion.
Magnesium (Mg2+) has a charge of 2+, therefore, it losses 2 electrons making it a cation.
Potassium (K+) has a charge of +, therefore, it losses 1 electron making it a cation.
-- Jael Lumba
No comments:
Post a Comment