Question

sodium chloride, table salt, forms ions when dissolved. Sodium loses one electron. Chloride gains one electron. What are the charges on the two ions?

Answer 1

Na is a cation, meaning it needs to lose electrons to gain a full outer shell. Since it is an alkaline metal, it has a charge of +1. (Cations are positive and need to lose electrons.).

Cl is an anion, meaning it needs to gain electrons to gain a full outer shell. Since is is a halogen, it has a charge of -1. (Anions are negative and need to gain electrons).