anion

anion — noun

1. an atom or small group of atoms that carries a negative electric charge because

1.名詞C2
釋義

an atom or small group of atoms that carries a negative electric charge because it has gained one or more extra electrons.

例句

In a salt solution, chloride anions move toward the positive electrode during electrolysis.

domain context: anions in electrolysis

When a chlorine atom picks up one extra electron, it becomes an anion with a negative charge.

mechanism: gaining an electron forms an anion

同義詞
  • negative ion

    everyday wording for the same particle; preferred outside specialist writing.

反義詞
  • cation

    the matching term for a positively charged ion.

文法句型

anion of [element/compound]

用法筆記

Almost always used in chemistry contexts. Frequently paired with its opposite, 'cation' (positive ion), and named after the element or group involved (e.g. chloride anion, sulfate anion).

常見錯誤

❌Sodium becomes an anion when it loses an electron.
✅Sodium becomes a cation when it loses an electron.
💡atoms that lose electrons form cations (positive); atoms that gain electrons form anions (negative).
❌The anion moves to the negative electrode.
✅The anion moves to the positive electrode (the anode).
💡opposite charges attract, so the negatively charged anion is pulled toward the positive side.