Differentiating Cations/Anions:?
Im working on naming ions and i have a quick question:
1. Is there any way, besides memorizing the list, to know if a given ion is a cation or an anion?
Answer:
very simple, just look at the sign of the charge. if it is positive sign ,it means cation. Negative sign=>anion.
Eg. Na+, Al3+ ----> cation
Cl- , F- ---> anion
If the element is a metal, the ion will be a cation i.e. it goes towards cathode. Non-metals like oxygen, halogens etc. will give anions which go to the anode. Sodium, potassium, copper, iron, tin, zirconium,...all such metals will have cations.
yes.. if the particular ion ends in "ate" "ide" "ite"...then it is anionEg SO4 -2 is sulfate
if it is going to be cation then there wont be any change in its nomenclatureEg Na + is sodium ion.
here the exception is NH4 + which is ammonium
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