![]() Other non-metals such as oxygen, carbon and sulphur are also known to form an anion and out of the three oxygen and sulphur belong to group 16 and carbon belongs to group 12. Instead of losing electrons, they accept one electron and form an anion with one negative charge. These are the most readily forming anions in the periodic table as it is easier for them to gain an electron rather than lose an electron because of the attraction with the nucleus. Elements present in group 17 of the periodic table, known as halogens, have seven valence electrons in the outermost shell. Based on the position in the periodic table, the electron configuration can help in determining the formation of the anion. The formation of negative ions is periodic. This happens as sodium loses one electron to get its octet configuration and this electron is accepted by the chlorine atom to complete the octet configuration with 8 electrons from the 7 electrons. This is the common table salt that is found in daily use. Along with the sodium cation, Na +, it forms an ionic bond and the product obtained is NaCl. An example of anion formed from a non-metallic atom is that of chlorine anion. Opposite to this most of the non-metallic atoms typically attract the electrons more strongly than the metallic atoms and thus in the process gain a negative charge and become an anion. As a result, they usually lose electrons and lead to the formation of cations. Metallic atoms are the ones that hold some of their electrons that are relatively loose. Most of the properties of anions are determined by the negative charge that it carries. The anion is the ion that has more electrons than the protons. Properties of Anions and Differences With Cations This is also the primary reason for the formation of any of the ionic compounds. This same concept applies to any of the formations of the anions and is the same even for the coordination compounds. 8 electrons in the outermost orbit is the reason why an atom becomes an anion by accepting electrons. Typically for an atom, the number of electrons required to complete an octet configuration i.e. The primary reason for an atom or molecule or a compound accepting an electron and gaining a negative charge is to attain a stable electron configuration. An image given below explains how are anions formed: Once gained, the charge is represented as a negative symbol and the number of electrons gained becomes the value of the negative charge of the anion. In certain reactions, when electrons are released by atoms the free electrons can be readily absorbed by the atoms, molecules or compounds that are known to have a strong affinity for electrons. They have typically pulled away from an atom, a molecule or a compound having a weaker affinity for them. Thus, for an anion to form one or more electrons are to be gained. The anion charge is negative which is due to the excess of electrons as compared to the protons. This ability of negative charge of anions leads to an attractive force in-between the anions and cations which also leads to the formation of ionic compounds.įrom the given explanation, it is easy to understand the question: how are anions formed. Thus, as per the anion definition, the total number of electrons in an anionic atom/molecule or a compound is more than the total number of protons. But in the case of an ion, the net charge is non-zero because of the difference in the total number of electrons and protons. ![]() In the case of a neutral atom or molecule or compound, the total number of negative and positive charges is the same because of the equal number of electrons and protons. Hence, the anion charge is the property of the charge of an electron. By convention, the charge of an electron is considered negative. Having understood what is an anion, it is clear the charge of an anion is negative. Hence, according to the anion definition chemistry of a particular substance is largely influenced by the negative electrical charge that it carries with itself. These electrical charges play a very important role in the physical and chemical properties of a particle, atom/molecule or compound. Similarly, any particle, atom or molecule or compound that has a negative electrical charge is called an anion. Now, any particle, atom or molecule or compound that has a positive electrical charge is known as a cation. This electrical charge can be either positive or negative. In simple terms, an ion is a particle, atom or molecule or compound that has a net electrical charge. In order to answer the question, what is an anion, it is necessary to understand what is an ion first.
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