Atoms can form ions by
gaining or losing electrons
Metals tend to lose one
or more electrons to form
positive ions called
cations
Metal ions are usually
named by using the
name of the parent atom
The name of the cation
shown in this slide is the
“Sodium Ion”
Atoms can form ions by
gaining or losing electrons
Non-metals tend to gain
one or more electrons to
form negative ions called
anions.
These are named by using
the root of the atom name
followed by the suffix –ide
The ion shown on this
slide is called the Fluoride
Ion
We can predict what ions
will form
The ion that an atom will form can be predicted
from the atom’s position on the periodic table
Metals (on the left hand side of the periodic
table) will GIVE UP electrons to form positively
charged cations
Nonmetals (on the right hand side of the
periodic table) will GAIN electrons to form
negatively charged anions
We can predict what ions
will form
Group 1 atoms form 1+ cations (they lose 1 electron)
Group 2 atoms form 2+ cations (they lose 2 electrons)
Group 7 atoms form anions with 1- charges (they gain
1 electrons)
Group 6 atoms from anions with 2- charges (they gain
2 electrons)