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cation

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

cation , atom or group of atoms carrying a positive charge. The charge results because there are more protons than electrons in the cation. Cations can be formed from a metal by oxidation (see oxidation and reduction ), from a neutral base (see acids and bases ) by protonation, or from a polar compound by ionization. Cationic species include Na ⁺ , Mg ⁺⁺ , and NH ₄⁺ . The cations of the transition elements have characteristic colors in water solution. Salts are made up of cations and anions . See ion .

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"cation." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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cation

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences | 1999 | | Copyright

cation A positive ion, i.e. an atom, or complex of atoms, that has lost one or more electrons and is left with an overall positive electric charge, e.g. Na⁺, Mg²⁺, NH₄⁺. The name is derived from the fact that when an electric current is passed through a conducting solution the positive ions present in the solution move towards the cathode (the negative electrode). Compare ANION.

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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "cation." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "cation." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-cation.html

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "cation." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-cation.html

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cation

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

cat·i·on / ˈkatˌīən; -ˌīˌän/ • n. Chem. a positively charged ion, i.e., one that would be attracted to the cathode in electrolysis. The opposite of anion. DERIVATIVES: cat·i·on·ic / ˌkatīˈänik/ adj.

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"cation." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"cation." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-cation.html

"cation." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-cation.html

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cation

A Dictionary of Nursing | 2008 | Copyright

cation (kat-I-ŏn) n. a positively charged ion, which moves towards the cathode (negative electrode) when an electric current is passed through the solution containing it. Compare anion.

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cation

A Dictionary of Ecology | 2004 | | Copyright

cation An ion that carries a positive electrical charge (e.g. the metallic element of salt compounds). A cation can combine with certain anions (which have negative charges).

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "cation." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "cation." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-cation.html

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cation

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences | 1998 | | Copyright

cation An ion that carries a positive electrical charge (e.g. the metallic element of salt compounds). A cation can combine with certain anions (which have negative charges).

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "cation." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "cation." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-cation.html

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cation

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

cation (electr.) a positive ion moving towards the cathode during electrolysis. XIX. — Gr. katión, f. CATA- 1 + ION; cf. CATHODE.

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T. F. HOAD. "cation." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "cation." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-cation.html

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cation

A Dictionary of Biology | 2004 | Copyright

cation A positively charged ion, such as the sodium ion (Na⁺). Compare anion.

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"cation." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"cation." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-cation.html

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cation

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

cation Positive ion that is attracted to the cathode during electrolysis.

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"cation." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-cation.html

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cation

cation Chemical term for a positively charged ion.

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DAVID A. BENDER. "cation." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAVID A. BENDER. "cation." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-cation.html

DAVID A. BENDER. "cation." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-cation.html

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cation

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"cation." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"cation." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-cation.html

"cation." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-cation.html

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