cation

(kăt'ī'ən)

[Greek kation, something going down, from neuter present participle of katienai, to go down : kat-, kata-, cata- + ienai, to go.]

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A positively charged ion, i.e. an ion that is attracted to the cathode in electrolysis. Compare anion.

For more information on cation, visit Britannica.com.

Chemical term for a positively charged ion.

An atom, or group of atoms with a positive charge. Cation exchange is the process whereby a cation in solution is absorbed by a solid, replacing a different cation. Thus, in soil science, if a potassium salt is dissolved in water and applied to a soil, potassium cations are absorbed by soil particles, and sodium and calcium cations are released.

Having qualities dependent on having free cations available.

• c. detergents — are wetting agents that disrupt or damage cell membranes, denature proteins and inactivate enzymes. Examples are the quaternary ammonium compounds.

A positive ion carrying a charge of positive electricity, therefore attracted to the negatively charged cathode.

• Substances, Particles, and Atomic Architecture - cation: positively charged ion
• Electricity and Electronics - cation: positively charged ion drawn to cathode in electrolysis

Dansk (Danish)
n. - positivt ladet ion

Nederlands (Dutch)
kation

Français (French)
n. - (Chim) cation

Deutsch (German)
n. - Kation, (pos. Ion)

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (φυσ.) κατιόν

Italiano (Italian)
catione

Português (Portuguese)
n. - cátion (m)

Русский (Russian)
катион

Español (Spanish)
n. - catión

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - katjon (kem.)

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
阳离子

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 陽離子

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 양이온

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - カチオン, 陽イオン

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) المادة الناتجه عن عمليه التحليل الكهربائي, أيون‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮יון חיובי, קטיון‬

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