
Cations and Anions: Definitions, Examples, and Differences
Mar 3, 2020 · The chemical formula of a compound is always written with the cation first, followed by the anion. For example, Na is the cation and Cl is the anion in NaCl (table salt).
Ion - Wikipedia
A cation is something that moves down (Greek: κάτω, kato, meaning "down") and an anion is something that moves up (Greek: ἄνω, ano, meaning "up"). They are so called because ions …
Cations and Anions - Ions | ChemTalk
A cation is an ion that has lost one or more electrons, giving a net positive charge. Because one or more electrons are removed to form a cation, the cation of an atom is smaller than the …
CATION Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of CATION is the ion in an electrolyzed solution that migrates to the cathode; broadly : a positively charged ion.
7.3: Cations - Chemistry LibreTexts
Summary Cations are formed by the loss of one or two electrons from an element. Groups 1 and 2 elements form cations. Cations are named according to the pare nt element. Cation charges …
The Difference Between a Cation and an Anion - ThoughtCo
Aug 3, 2024 · When writing the formula of a compound, the cation is listed before the anion. For example, in NaCl, the sodium atom acts as the cation, while the chlorine atom acts as the anion.
Cation vs Anion: Definitions & Periodic Table Guide ...
Jan 24, 2024 · What is a cation? A cation has more protons than electrons, consequently giving it a net positive charge. For a cation to form, one or more electrons must be lost, typically pulled …
Anion vs Cation - Difference and Comparison | Diffen
A cation is an atom or a molecule which is positively charged, i.e. has more number of protons than electrons. Anion originated from the Greek word ano, meaning ‘up’. The word cation …
CATION | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary
CATION meaning: 1. in chemistry, an ion (= type of atom) that has a positive electric charge and therefore moves…. Learn more.
Cation Formation - Equations, Process, Energy Changes and ...
Nov 1, 2025 · Cations are the positive ions formed by the loss of one or more electrons. The most commonly formed cations of the representative elements are those that involve the loss of all …