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cation

cation (kăt"ī'un) [key], 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 NH₄⁺. 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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Glossary of Chemical Terms - C - calorie · calorimeter · carbocyclic · carbohydrate · carcinogen · catalysis · catalyst · cathode · cation · caustic · chelated · chiral · chlorofluorocarbons · chlorophyll · chromatography · colloid · combustion · composting · condensation · couples · covalent bond · covalent radius · critical pressure · critical temperature
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