What is Ion?

A charged atom or a group of charged atoms is called ions

It may be positively or negatively charged

Positively charged ion is called Cation

Negatively charged ion is called Anion

A group of atoms carrying a charge is known as a polyatomic ion.
For example - NH 4 +,NO 3 -

 

What is a Molecule?

A group of atoms chemically bonded together is Here are the valency of a few elements:

called Molecule.

 

How is Ion formed?

We know that atom contains protons, neutrons and electrons

  • Protons are Positively charged
  • Electrons are Negatively charged
  • Neutrons are Neutral

Atoms - Teachoo-01.jpg

In an atom, the number of protons is equal to the number of electrons.
So the positive and negative charges are balanced out

Ions are formed when atoms lose or gain electrons

 

What is a Molecule?

A group of atoms chemically bonded together is Here are the valency of a few elements:
called Molecule.

 

So,

Case 1: When an atom loses an electron,

The negative charge reduces.
Thus it becomes positively charged - Cation, because;
The number of positively charged protons becomes more than negatively charged electrons

Generation of Cation-01.jpg

What is a Molecule?

A group of atoms chemically bonded together is Here are the valency of a few elements:
called Molecule.

 

Case 2: When atom gains an electron,

The negative charge increases.
Thus it becomes negatively charged - Anion, because;
The number of negatively charged electrons becomes more than positively charged protons

Generation of Anion-Teachoo-01.jpg

What is a Molecule?

A group of atoms chemically bonded together is Here are the valency of a few elements:
called Molecule.

 

Difference between Anion and Cation

Cation

Anion

Positively charged ion is called Cation

Negatively charged ion is called anion

It is formed when atom loses electron (and hence become positively charged)

It is formed when atom gains electron and become positively charged

Example - Sodium Ion (Na + )

Example - Chloride Ion (Cl - )

Sodium (Na) has 11 protons and 11 electrons

Overall charge is 0

Chlorine (Cl) has 17 protons and 17 electrons

Overall charge is 0

When sodium loses 1 electron

It has 11 protons and 10 electrons

Positive charge > Negative charge

Thus becomes Cation (Na + )

When chlorine gains 1 electrons

It has 17 protons and 18 electrons

Negative charge > Positive charge

Thus becomes Anion (Cl - )

 

Difference between Anion and Cation-Teachoo-01.jpg

What is a Molecule?

A group of atoms chemically bonded together is Here are the valency of a few elements:

called Molecule.

 

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Maninder Singh

CA Maninder Singh is a Chartered Accountant for the past 14 years and a teacher from the past 18 years. He teaches Science, Economics, Accounting and English at Teachoo