Cation

A cation is an ion with positive charge.

When naming compounds, the cation is always named first and the anion second. A monatomic cation always takes its name from the name of the element. For example, Ca²⁺ is called calcium.

Metals are more likely to form cations because they have a tendency to lose electrons.

Examples

• hydrogen ion, H⁺
• sodium ion, Na⁺
• magnesium ion, Mg²⁺

See category for a bigger list.

Also see oxycation.