Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having a positive electric charge: Describes an atom, ion, or particle that carries a net positive electrical charge, typically due to having more protons than electrons.
   • Tending to lose electrons and form positive ions: Describes elements, typically metals, that have a low electronegativity and readily donate electrons in chemical reactions.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • In a salt solution, the electropositive sodium ions are attracted to the negative electrode.
  • Metals like potassium are highly electropositive, meaning they react vigorously with water.

Advanced Usage

• In Chemistry: The term is often used to describe an element's position on the periodic table or its behavior in ionic bonding.
  • The electropositive character of elements increases down a group in the periodic table.
• In Physics: Used to describe the charge state of a particle or region.
  • The electropositive terminal of the battery is called the anode.

Variants and Related Words

• Electropositivity (noun): The measure of an element's tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions.
  • The electropositivity of cesium is greater than that of sodium.
• Cation (noun): A positively charged ion, which is the result of an electropositive atom losing electrons.
  • Common cations include Na⁺ and Ca²⁺.

Synonyms

• Positive (in the context of electric charge).
• Cationic (relating to or being a cation).

Antonyms

• Electronegative: Having a tendency to attract electrons and form negative ions.
• Negative (in the context of electric charge).
• Anionic (relating to or being an anion).

Adjective

1. having a positive charge
   • protons are positive