Question

Describe how to write an ion

Answer 1

Cations (positively-charged): With a superscript + (e.g.
`\mbox{Na^(+)}`)

Anions (negative-charged): With a superscript - (e.g.
`\mbox{Cl^(-)}`)

Step-by-step explanation:

An ion is an atom that carries some sort of negative or positive charge due to losing or gaining electrons in bonding with another atom. A cation, a positively-charged ion, loses an electron in the bonding process, and is written with a small plus sign superscript, while an anion, a negatively-charged ion, is written with a small minus sign. For example, a sodium cation in a sodium chloride molecule would be written like
`\mbox{Na^(+)}`, and the corresponding chloride anion would be written like
`\mbox{Cl^(-)}`)