Negative Ion

Contents

Key Stage 4

Meaning

Negative ions are elements or compounds which have gained one or more electrons to become negatively charged.

About Negative Ions

In chemical reactions between metals and non-metals the non-metal elements form negative ions.

In alkalis there are free moving hydroxide ions which are negative ions. The concentration of these OH^- ions is what determines the alkalinity of a solution.

Negative ions are attracted to positive ions and to the positive electrode (anode) during electrolysis.

Examples

Chlorine forms -1 ions.	Oxygen forms -2 ions.	Nitrogen forms -3 ions.