Final answer:
The question addresses the subject of ions in chemistry, focusing on the formation of anions and cations, and how they contribute to ionic compounds. It includes examples such as aluminum nitride and the properties of lithium becoming a lithium cation, as well as differences between iron(II) and iron(III) ions and the oxide ion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the concepts of ions and their charges in chemistry. Ions are atoms or molecules that have gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net electric charge. A cation is a positively charged ion formed by the loss of electrons, whereas an anion is a negatively charged ion formed by the gain of electrons. Specifically, an ion with a -3 charge would be considered an anion because it has gained three electrons resulting in a net negative charge.
The total charge of cations in a compound must equal the total charge of anions to maintain electrical neutrality. For example, in aluminum nitride (AlN), which consists of Al3+ and N3- ions, the charges balance each other out. The properties of ions include the ability to conduct electricity in solution, changes in physical properties compared to their neutral atoms, and participation in forming ionic bonds.
Lithium (Li), when it becomes an ion, will lose one electron and become a cation with a charge of +1. This lithium ion is named lithium cation and is represented as Li+. Regarding iron ions, the iron(III) ion has a charge of +3, meaning it has one less electron than the iron(II) ion, which has a charge of +2. An oxide ion has a charge of -2, indicating it has two more electrons than protons.