Cations and Anions

Metal Atoms

• ​Metal atoms have a larger radius and low ionization energy, so they easily lose electrons. Very little energy is required to remove the metal's valence electrons

• Metal atoms will lose electrons until the outer shell has 8 . 8 electrons is called an octet and generally results in the most stable atom

• So.....metals are losing their valence shell (ususally )

• Because metals are losing electrons, which are

  negative, they form a positive charge, a cation.

• Metals ALWAYS form positive ions.

Nonmetal Atoms

• ​Nonmetal atoms have a smaller radius and high electronegativity, so they easily gain electrons. But NOT the noble gases, they are already stable!!

• Nonmetal atoms will gain electrons until the outer shell has 8 . 8 electrons is called an octet and generally results in the most stable atom

• Because nonmetals are gaining negative electrons, they form a negative charge, an anion.

• Nonmetals form negtative ions.

Categorize

Options (16)

Ca

Na

Pb

As

Te

Br

Mg

K

Al

Ag

Zn

Cl

I

F

O

S

Put the element into the column based upon the type of ion that it forms.

Forms a cation

Forms an anion