Question

Which of the following is not a cation?

1) sulfate
2) ca2
3) mercurous ion
4) iron(iii) ion

Answer 1

A cation is a positively charged ion formed by losing electrons. The sulfate ion is not a cation.

Step-by-step explanation:

A cation is a positively charged ion formed by losing electrons. In the given options, the sulfate ion (SO4^2-) is not a cation. It has a negative charge and contains more electrons than protons. On the other hand, ca2^+, mercurous ion (Hg2^2+), and iron(iii) ion (Fe3+) are all cations because they have a positive charge resulting from the loss of electrons.