A positive ion, also known as a cation, is an atom or molecule that has lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net positive charge. This loss of electrons typically occurs during chemical reactions, where atoms seek to achieve a more stable electronic configuration.

Positive Ion

positive ion

A cation is a positively charged ion that forms when an atom loses one or more electrons. Cations are crucial in various chemical reactions and are commonly found in ionic compounds, where they pair with anions to maintain electrical neutrality.

cation

An atom is the smallest unit of ordinary matter that retains the properties of an element, consisting of a nucleus made of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons in orbitals. Understanding atoms is fundamental to chemistry and physics as they form the building blocks of molecules and ultimately all matter in the universe.

atom

A molecule is like a tiny building block that makes up everything around us, from the air we breathe to the food we eat. These building blocks are made when different atoms, which are even tinier, stick together in special ways.

molecule

lost one or more electrons

net positive charge

loss of electrons

Chemical reactions involve the transformation of substances through the breaking and forming of chemical bonds, resulting in the conversion of reactants into products. These reactions are governed by the principles of thermodynamics and kinetics, which dictate the feasibility and rate of these transformations.

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