Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the difference between a cation and an anion?
2. Atoms & Elements
Ions
Struggling with General Chemistry?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
What is the charge on a sodium ion?
A
-1
B
0
C
+1
D
+2
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that sodium (Na) is an element in Group 1 of the periodic table, which means it has one electron in its outermost shell.
Recall that atoms tend to achieve a stable electron configuration similar to the nearest noble gas. For sodium, this means losing one electron to achieve the electron configuration of neon.
When sodium loses one electron, it becomes a positively charged ion, known as a cation. The loss of one electron results in a charge of +1.
Express the formation of a sodium ion using a chemical equation: Na → Na⁺ + e⁻. This shows that sodium loses one electron to form a Na⁺ ion.
Conclude that the charge on a sodium ion is +1, as it has lost one electron and now has one more proton than electrons.
Related Videos
Related Practice
