Final answer:
When a compound is cleaved off a molecule, it leaves a cation, which is a positively charged ion. The formation of cations is common in chemical reactions, particularly with ionic compounds, and understanding this process is crucial in chemistry.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a compound is cleaved off a molecule, it leaves a cation. A cation is a positively charged ion that results when an atom or a molecule loses one or more electrons. An example of this is when sodium chloride (NaCl) is dissolved in water, the sodium atom loses an electron to become a sodium cation (Na+), and the chloride atom gains that electron to become a chloride anion (Cl-).
In contrast, isotopes refer to atoms that have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons. Isotopes do not form as a direct result of a compound being cleaved off a molecule. An example of isotopes is Carbon-12 and Carbon-13; both have six protons, but Carbon-12 has six neutrons while Carbon-13 has seven.
The process of forming a cation through the cleavage of a compound is common in chemical reactions, especially those that involve ionic compounds. Understanding the formation of cations is essential in comprehending a wide variety of chemical processes, including those that are biochemically significant.