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Chapter 2 - Models Of Bonding & Structure

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Atom Symbol

Chapter 1 - Models Of The Particulate Nature Of Matter

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 Globe with Meridians

Chapter 3 - Classification Of Matter

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Fire

Chapter 4 - What Drives Chemical Reactions?

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Rocket

Chapter 5 - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

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Test Tube

Chapter 6 - What Are The Mechanisms Of Chemical Change?

Hello young chemists! Today, we&#39;re going to dive into the electrifying world of ions, specifically cations and anions. But first, let&#39;s set the stage with our friend Sodium (Na), who loves to party as Sodium ion (Na+) sometimes. Why does he change? Let&#39;s find out!

Did you know Sodium has a superhero alter ego? Yes! Sodium atoms can transform into Sodium ions, and here are the differences between the two:

<ul>
	<li>Number of Electrons - Sodium atoms and Sodium ions don&#39;t have the same number of electrons. Like Superman taking off his glasses to become Clark Kent, Sodium loses an electron to become a Sodium ion (Na+).</li>
	<li>Electron Arrangement - Sodium ions have a different electron arrangement because they&#39;ve lost an electron in the process of becoming ions.</li>
	<li>Charge - Sodium atoms are neutral; they don&#39;t have any charge. But Sodium ions carry a 1+ charge. Why? They&#39;ve lost one negatively charged electron, and so, are left with an extra positive charge. This is signified by a superscript + sign, like so: Na+.</li>
</ul>

When atoms become ions, they can be classified into two groups: cations and anions.

<ul>
	<li>Cations - Cations are like the life of the party because they&#39;re always positive! They are ions with more protons than electrons, resulting in a positive charge. Remember our friend Sodium ion (Na+)? With 11 protons and only 10 electrons, it&#39;s a cation because the overall charge is 1+.</li>
	<li>Anions - If cations are positive party animals, anions are their negatively charged counterparts. They have more electrons than protons, leading to a negative charge. Let&#39;s introduce another character - the sulfide ion (S2-). This ion, with a 2- charge, is an anion. And notice the slight name change? Anions have &quot;-ide&quot; at the end of their names. So, sulfur becomes sulfide when it gains extra electrons and becomes negatively charged.</li>
</ul>

Note: For now, we&#39;re only chatting about monatomic ions - ions made of one atom like Na+ or S2-. But hold on to your seats! We&#39;ll tackle the super-cool, charged groups of atoms known as polyatomic ions in a later adventure.

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Real-World Example 🌎

Let&#39;s think about table salt, or Sodium Chloride (NaCl). It&#39;s not just an essential seasoning; it&#39;s also a great example of how cations and anions work together. Sodium (Na) gives up an electron to become a Sodium ion (Na+), a cation, while Chlorine (Cl) gains an electron to become Chloride (Cl-), an anion. The result? They stick together due to their opposite charges, creating the salt that adds flavor to your fries!

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And there you have it, our deep dive into the world of cations and anions. Until next time, happy studying!

Unveiling Sodium's Secrets: Atoms vs. Ions Explained!

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Standard Level

Chemistry SL

Chapter 2 - Models Of Bonding & Structure

Unveiling Sodium's Secrets: Atoms vs. Ions Explained!

Table of content

Sodium's alter ego - sodium ion (Na+) 🎭

Unlock the Full Content!

Chapter 2 - Models Of Bonding & Structure

Unveiling Sodium's Secrets: Atoms vs. Ions Explained!

Table of content

Sodium's alter ego - sodium ion (Na+) 🎭

Unlock the Full Content!