| electropositive | 1. <chemistry, physics> Of such a nature relatively to some other associated body or bodies, as to tend to the negative pole of a voltaic battery, in electrolysis, while the associated body tends to the positive pole. The converse or correlative of electronegative. Usually refers to an element whose atoms tend to lose electrons; e.g., sodium, potassium, calcium. An element that is electropositive in one compound may be electronegative in another, and vice versa. 2. <chemistry> Hence: Positive; metallic; basic; distinguished from negative, nonmetallic, or acid. <chemistry> A body which passes to the negative pole in electrolysis. Source: Websters Dictionary (21 Jun 2000) |
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| electropositive element | <chemistry> An element whose atoms have a tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions (e.g., sodium). (05 Mar 2000) |