Understanding Anions and Cations: Easy-to-Follow Guide for Chemistry Students

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In summary, many students are falling behind in Chemistry, and the teacher has told us to stop where we are and leave the late assignments go undone. This means that I am missing information now, and I'm looking for sources of information on anions and cations. I took a quiz despite not knowing the information and flunked it, so I'm trying to fill in the gaps as it's not too late for me to save my grade. The quiz provided answers for the alkali elements in Group 1 and the alkaline Earth elements in Group 2, which can be helpful.
  • #1
AngelShare
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I, like so many others, have fallen behind in Chemistry. This large number of students falling behind prompted the teacher to tell us all to stop where we are and leave the late assignments go undone. Obviously, that means I'm missing information now...:eek:

Could someone provide me with easy-to-understand sites containing information on anions and cations? I took a quiz despite not knowing the information and flunked it (a low grade is better than a zero:cry: ), surprise surpise, so I'm trying to fill in the obvious gaps as it's not too late for me to save my grade.

This is the quiz. I figured I'd be better off giving understanding this a shot as I'll almost definitely need it later on.

What is the correct formula for magnesium oxide?

What is the correct formula for calcium nitride?

What is the charge for the ion of Cesium?

What is the charge for the ion of Oxygen?

What is the charge on sodium in the following reaction, formation of sodium carbonate? 2Na^x + (CO3)^2- = Na2CO3

{Just in case, the 3 beside the CO is down below, not actually beside it. The same goes for the 2 after the Na on the right side of the equation and the 3 after the CO.}

What is the correct formula for calcium nitrite?

When sulfur becomes sulfide, it is a(n) _______
 
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  • #2
Cations are positive ions and anions are negative ions. Most metals prefer to be cations, and the non-metal elements (old Groups 4A, 5A and 6A, or newer groups 14-16) and halides (old Group 7, or new group 17) tend to form anions. The more electronegativel an element, the more likely it is for form an anion.

Anions can be polyatomic, e.g. CO32-, SO42-, or PO43-.

These might be of help:

http://borntoexplore.org/chemistry/common_cations_and_anions.htm

http://www.cas.astate.edu/draganjac/cationanionnamesanswers.html [Broken]

Chemical Nomenclature: Cations and Anions - http://www.riverdeep.net/science/chemistry_gateways/cg_handouts/tol/tbnd0tni.pdf

Other useful references for chemical elements:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periodic_Table

http://www.webelements.com

In your homework, the alkali elements in Group 1 form +1 ions (cations) and the alkaline Earth elements in Group 2 form +2 ions.

With regard to the quiz, please write what you think the answers should be.
 
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  • #3
I did horrible on it...I had to guess so don't expect anything great.:frown:

Anyways, it's already been scored so I know what I got wrong and what I didn't. Here are the answers I put down though:

MgO2
Ca2N2
-2
+1
+1
Ca(NO2)
Anion


:redface:
 

What are anions and cations?

Anions and cations are two types of ions that are formed when an atom gains or loses electrons. Anions have a negative charge because they have gained electrons, while cations have a positive charge because they have lost electrons.

What is the difference between anions and cations?

The main difference between anions and cations is their charge. Anions have a negative charge, while cations have a positive charge. This is because anions have gained electrons, while cations have lost electrons. Additionally, anions are usually larger in size than cations.

How are anions and cations formed?

Anions are formed when an atom gains one or more electrons, while cations are formed when an atom loses one or more electrons. This usually happens when atoms interact with each other through chemical reactions, such as ionic bonding.

What are the properties of anions and cations?

Anions are usually larger in size than cations and are often more reactive. Cations, on the other hand, are usually smaller in size and have a higher charge density, making them more attracted to anions. Anions and cations also play important roles in determining the physical and chemical properties of compounds.

What are some examples of anions and cations?

Some common anions include chloride (Cl-), sulfate (SO42-), and nitrate (NO3-). Examples of cations include sodium (Na+), magnesium (Mg2+), and calcium (Ca2+). These ions are found in various compounds and play important roles in biological and chemical processes.

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