Cation

__Cation __

A Cation is a positively charged ion.

An ion or group of ions having a positive charge and characteristically moving toward the negative electrode in electrolysis. Cations are attracted to the cathode in electrolysis. Most cations are metals, however there are some exceptions. The reason most cations are metals is because metals tend to give up their electrons, just like cations. Some exceptions are: sliver and gold; they can exsist in the elemental or neutral state.



Anions and cations
"Cation" and "Anion" redirect here. For the particle physics/quantum computing concept, see Anyon. For other uses, see Ion disambiguation An **anion** (−), from the Greek word ἄνω (//ánō//), meaning "up", is an ion with more electrons than protons, giving it a net **negative charge** (since electrons are negatively charged and protons are positively charged). A **cation** (+), from the Greek word κατά (//katá//), meaning "down", is an ion with fewer electrons than protons, giving it a **positive charge**. Since the charge on a proton is equal in magnitude to the charge on an electron, the net charge on an ion is equal to the number of protons in the ion minus the number of electrons.

__ Examples: __ (Na+)