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Attempts 127

What is a cation?

  1. A
    A positively charged ion
  2. B
    A negatively charged ion
  3. C
    A positively charged covalent bond
  4. D
    A negatively charged covalent bond

Topic Flashcards

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Question

How does a neutral atom become a cation? What happens to its electrons?

Answer

It loses one or more electrons. This leaves the atom with more protons than electrons, resulting in a net positive charge.

Question

Which group on the periodic table (Group 1, 2, 16, or 17) is most likely to form cations, and what is a typical charge?

Answer

Groups 1 and 2 (alkali and alkaline earth metals). Group 1 typically forms 1+ cations (e.g., Na⁺), and Group 2 forms 2+ cations (e.g., Mg²⁺).

Question

What is the difference between a sodium atom (Na) and a sodium cation (Na⁺) in terms of their electron configuration?

Answer

A neutral Na atom has the configuration 1s²2s²2p⁶3s¹ (11 electrons). The Na⁺ cation loses the single 3s electron, leaving it with the configuration 1s²2s²2p⁶ (10 electrons, isoelectronic with neon).

Question

If an aluminum atom (Al, atomic number 13) loses three electrons to form a cation, what is its charge and symbol?

Answer

It forms an Al³⁺ cation. (13 protons, 10 electrons, charge = +3).

Question

In an ionic compound like NaCl, which ion is the cation and what is its role in the compound's formation?

Answer

Na⁺ is the cation. It forms when sodium donates an electron to chlorine, leading to an electrostatic attraction (ionic bond) with the Cl⁻ anion.

Mini Quiz

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Does a cation have more protons than electrons?

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