Practice recognizing cations as positively charged ions and explaining how atoms form cations by losing electrons.
Read each problem carefully. Show your work or explain your reasoning in the space provided.
Identifying cations, charge, and electron loss
Chemistry - Grade 9-12
- 1
Define a cation in one complete sentence.
- 2
A sodium atom loses one electron to form an ion. Write the symbol and charge of the ion that forms.
- 3
Explain why Mg2+ is a cation.
- 4
An ion has 20 protons and 18 electrons. Determine whether the ion is a cation or an anion, and state its charge.
- 5
Write the electron loss equation for the formation of a calcium ion from a neutral calcium atom.
- 6
Circle the species that are cations: Cl-, K+, O2-, Fe3+, Ne, Al3+.
- 7
A diagram shows an atom with 13 protons and 13 electrons. After ion formation, it has 13 protons and 10 electrons. Identify the ion and its charge.
- 8
Explain why metals commonly form cations rather than anions.
- 9
A lithium atom forms Li+. How many electrons did the atom lose, and what is the charge on the ion?
- 10
Complete the table entry in words: Fe2+ has 26 protons and ____ electrons. Explain your answer.
- 11
Compare Na and Na+. Describe one similarity and one difference between them.
- 12
An unknown ion X has a charge of 3+. Write a general statement explaining what this charge tells you about its protons and electrons.