How do we know which atoms form anions, and which atoms form cations?

Answer 1

IF the atom is a metal, probably its ion will be a cation. If the atom is a non-metal, probably its ion will be an anion.

Metals are generally electron rich species from the left hand side of the Periodic Table as we face it. Their nuclear charge tends to be shielded and they readily lose electrons forming cations.

On the other hand, non-metals come from the right of the Periodic Table. Their nuclear charge tends to be inefficiently shielded by the incomplete electronic shells, and these tend to gain electrons forming anions.

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Answer 2

Atoms that tend to form anions are typically nonmetals, as they have a tendency to gain electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. Atoms that tend to form cations are typically metals, as they have a tendency to lose electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

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