2006-12-01 12:27:39 · 4 answers · asked by ken 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The charge indicates a surplus or deficit of electrons as compared to the number of protons in an atom. When the number of positively charged protons equal the number of negatively charged electrons, the total charges cancel out for a net charge of 0.
Examples:
A +1 charge signifies that there are 1 fewer negatively charged electrons in orbitals about the nucleus of the atom than there are protons in the nucleus.
A -2 charge signifies that there are 2 more negatively charged electrons in orbitals about the nucleus of the atom than there are protons in the nucleus.
2006-12-01 12:55:25 · answer #1 · answered by chemguy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cations like sodium, Na+ are positively charged (plus). Anions like chloride, Cl- are negatively charged (minus).
2006-12-01 12:32:58 · answer #2 · answered by steve_geo1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, it's right what Steve told before... but think about oxidating and reducting reactions... Sodium, Na+, would be oxidated if he had losed an eletron... he would be reducted if he had gained an eletron, becoming a metal, not an ion anymore...
2006-12-01 12:53:31 · answer #3 · answered by Mark Conners 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if i remeber my chemistry right, cations are positively charged particles. meaning, they have more protons than electrons. anions are negatively charged particles with more electrons than protons.
2006-12-01 12:51:51 · answer #4 · answered by sparkle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋