![]() Compounds that are composed of cations and anions are called ionic compounds. Species that have an overall negative charge are called anions. In such compounds, the number of positive charges on the cations is equal to the number of negative charges. According to the laws of physics, opposite charges attract, so the oppositelycharged ions attract each other to form compounds that are, overall, electrically neutral. An ion is any atom or group of atoms with an overall electrical charge. While matter is electrically neutral overall, ionic compounds are matter that is composed of positively-charged and negatively-charged particles called ions. Most nonmetallic elements react chemically to gain electrons, forming anions.Ī cation is any atom or group of atoms that has a net positive charge. Most metallic elements react chemically to form cations, losing electrons. We say it is electrically neutral.) Anions, on the other hand, are formed when an atom or group of atoms accepts one or more electrons, so it has more negative than positive charges. In normal atoms, the number of protons equals the number of electrons, so a normal atom has an overall charge of zero. (Each proton has a +1 charge, and each electron has a -1 charge. Compounds composed of both cations and anions, such as table salt ( sodium chloride, NaCl) and potash ( potassium carbonate, K 2 CO 3), are ionic compounds.Ĭations are formed when an atom or group of atom loses one or more electrons, producing more protons than electrons and resulting in an overall positive charge. Ions with an overall negative charge are called anions. ![]() In such compounds, the number of positive charges on the cations equal the number of negative charges. According to the laws of physics, opposite charges attract, so the oppositely charged ions attract each other to form compounds that are, overall, electrically neutral. While matter is electrically neutral overall, ionic compounds are matter composed of positively and negatively charged particles called ions - any atom or group of atoms with an overall electrical charge. A cation is any atom or group of atoms that has a net positive charge. ![]()
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