Which ion would be considered a neutral cation according to the material?

Which ion would be considered a neutral cation according to the material?

• A. Group 1 metals
• B. ClO3-
• C. NO3-
• D. OH-

Answer: (A)

A cation is an ion with a positive charge, formed when an atom loses electrons. Group 1 metals readily lose one electron to become a +1 cation, which is why they are the example that would be considered the neutral partner in a neutral salt. The other choices are negatively charged ions (anions): chlorate, nitrate, and hydroxide. Since they carry negative charges, they cannot be cations. In a neutral compound, the +1 cation from a Group 1 metal balances the negative charge of the anion to give an overall neutral formula unit.

A cation is an ion with a positive charge, formed when an atom loses electrons. Group 1 metals readily lose one electron to become a +1 cation, which is why they are the example that would be considered the neutral partner in a neutral salt. The other choices are negatively charged ions (anions): chlorate, nitrate, and hydroxide. Since they carry negative charges, they cannot be cations. In a neutral compound, the +1 cation from a Group 1 metal balances the negative charge of the anion to give an overall neutral formula unit.