Ions are formed when atoms gain or lose electrons, resulting in a charge.

What are positively charged ions called?

Positively charged ions are called cations.

What are negatively charged ions called?

Negatively charged ions are called anions.

Metals like sodium and magnesium lose valence electrons to become cations with charges based on the number of lost electrons.

Non-metals like oxygen and fluorine gain electrons to form anions with charges determined by the number of gained electrons.

Atoms form ions by gaining or losing electrons, leading to either a positive charge (cations) or a negative charge (anions), with specific elements exhibiting distinct tendencies in ion formation.
Metals typically lose electrons to become cations while non-metals gain electrons to form anions, with the charge of the ion reflecting the number of electrons lost or gained, showcasing a fundamental principle in the behavior of elements in the formation of ions.

How are ions formed?
Ions are formed when atoms gain or lose electrons, resulting in a charge.
What are positively charged ions called?
Positively charged ions are called cations.
What are negatively charged ions called?
Negatively charged ions are called anions.
How do metals form ions?
Metals like sodium and magnesium lose valence electrons to become cations with charges based on the number of lost electrons.
How do non-metals form ions?
Non-metals like oxygen and fluorine gain electrons to form anions with charges determined by the number of gained electrons.

00:00

Ions are formed when atoms gain or lose electrons, resulting in a charge. Positively charged ions are called cations, like sodium losing an electron to become a sodium ion with a 1+ charge. Negatively charged ions are anions, such as oxygen gaining two electrons to form an oxide ion with a -2 charge, both having a complete outer shell like noble gases.
Metals like sodium and magnesium lose valence electrons to become cations with charges based on the number of lost electrons. Non-metals like oxygen and fluorine gain electrons to form anions with charges determined by the number of gained electrons. Different groups of elements have specific tendencies in forming ions, like group three elements losing three electrons to form ions with a 3+ charge.