Question

What is a positively charged ion?

Answer 1

Hint : When any atom or molecule donates or accepts electrons, formation of ions takes place. Ions are mainly categorized into two types i.e., an ion can either be positively charged (cation) or negatively charged (anion).


Complete Step By Step Answer:
An atom mainly consists of three main constituents that are electrons, protons and neutrons. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons which are negatively charged species is equal to the number of protons which are positively charged species i.e., overall positive charge of the atom counterbalances the net negative charge on an atom.
A positively charged ion is known as cation. There are several cases in which there is a possibility of formation of a positively charged species. Some cases are as follows:
Case-1: Losing of an electron from an electropositive atom.
Electropositive atoms or elements that have a tendency to lose electrons to gain stability as after removal of electrons, these atoms or elements attain noble gas configuration.
Example- $$Li\to L{i}^{+}+e^{-}$$
When an atom loses electrons, the number of electrons decreases, due to which atom attains a positive charge.
Case-2: Dissociation of an ionic compound.
When an ionic compound is dissociated, its breakdown into its respective ions and formation of a cation and an anion takes place.
Example- $$NaCl\to N{a}^{+}+C{l}^{-}$$
Here $$N{a}^{+}$$ is the positively charged ion i.e., cation.
Case-3: Cleavage of covalent bond of a compound having electronegative element.
When there is an electronegative element present in a compound, it attracts the electrons towards itself and leads to the formation of cation.
Example- $$C{H_3}^{\delta +}-F^{\delta -}$$
In the given example, fluorine is an electronegative element, so it attracts electrons from the carbon atom towards itself and leads to the formation of partial positive charge on the methyl group. If a small amount of energy is given, then cleavage of covalent bond takes place and methyl cation will be formed.

Note :
Positively charged ions are also known as Electrophiles and play an important role in deciding the strength of acidity or basicity of a molecule.