ALEKS Placement Chemistry Practice Exam

A cation is an ion that carries a positive charge. This occurs when an atom loses one or more electrons, resulting in an excess of protons compared to electrons. Since protons are positively charged and electrons are negatively charged, losing electrons shifts the balance towards a net positive charge.

In ionic compounds, cations typically form from metals that have a tendency to lose electrons, such as sodium or potassium. For example, when a sodium atom loses one electron, it becomes a sodium cation (Na⁺) with a charge of +1. This positive charge enables cations to attract negatively charged ions, or anions, in ionic bonding, which is essential for the formation of many compounds.

Understanding the nature of cations is fundamental in chemistry, especially when studying ionic compounds, reactions, and overall charge balance in chemical equations.