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Justin Bowen

Is oxygen a cation or anion?

Brian Yankee  Follow

Oxygen is a neutral molecule with formula O₂. The most stable ion of oxygen is O2- oxide ion(anion). But it also forms cation and other anions.

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Abdullah  Follow

Cations (positively-charged ions) and anions (negatively-charged ions) are formed when a metal loses electrons, and a nonmetal gains those electrons. The electrostatic attraction between the positives and negatives brings the particles together and creates an ionic compound.

That depends: if the oxygen atom gains 1 or more electrons, it becomes a negatively charged anion. If the oxygen atom loses electrons, it becomes a positively charged cation. Oxygen is most stable as an ion when it gains 2 electrons to become O2-, an anion.

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