Meaning & use
cation
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Meaning
nouncountablechemistry
An atom or group of atoms that carries a positive electric charge because it has lost electrons.
Grammar: The opposite of an anion; moves toward the negative electrode.
Patterns
- a cation of something
- metal cation
Sodium forms a cation by losing one electron.
The cation moves toward the negative electrode.
Calcium is present as a cation in the solution.
Word forms
| plural | cations |
|---|
Common combinations
- metal cation
- A metal cation is attracted to the cathode.
- positive cation
- Each cation has a positive charge.
- cation exchange
- Cation exchange softens hard water.
- form a cation
- Atoms form a cation when they lose electrons.
- cation and anion
- A salt contains a cation and an anion.
Synonyms and how they differ
- positive ion
- Positive ion is the plain description, while cation is the precise chemistry term.
- ion
- Ion is broader and covers both positive and negative charges.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: cation or anion? cation or vacation?
cation vs anion
An anion is negative and a cation is positive; a cation is attracted to the cathode.
cation vs vacation
Vacation is a holiday and has no link to cation despite the similar ending.
Practice
When a sodium atom loses an electron, it becomes a ___.
Choose one answer.
Losing an electron leaves a positive charge, which makes a cation. An anion has gained electrons.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.