Divalent Cation Definition in Chemistry

A divalent cation is an ion with a 2+ valence.
A divalent cation is an ion with a 2+ valence.

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By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
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Updated on May 06, 2019

A divalent cation is an cation with valence of 2+. This type of ion may form two chemical bonds with anions.

Also Known As: bivalent cation

Examples

A magnesium ion, Mg2+ is a divalent cation. In fact, all of the alkaline earth metals (group 2) form divalent cations.

Source

  • Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 978-0-08-037941-8.
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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Divalent Cation Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-divalent-cation-605042. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 28). Divalent Cation Definition in Chemistry. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-divalent-cation-605042 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Divalent Cation Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-divalent-cation-605042 (accessed April 26, 2024).