Which term refers to a positively charged ion?

Which term refers to a positively charged ion?

• A. Cation
• B. Anion
• C. Electron
• D. Proton

Answer: (A)

A positively charged ion is called a cation. Ions are atoms or molecules that have a net electrical charge because they have gained or lost electrons. When an atom loses electrons, there are more protons than electrons, giving it a positive charge—this is a cation. If an atom gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged and is an anion. An electron is a negatively charged subatomic particle, not an ion by itself, while a proton is positively charged but is not an ion in typical chemical contexts. So the term for a positively charged ion is cation.

A positively charged ion is called a cation. Ions are atoms or molecules that have a net electrical charge because they have gained or lost electrons. When an atom loses electrons, there are more protons than electrons, giving it a positive charge—this is a cation. If an atom gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged and is an anion. An electron is a negatively charged subatomic particle, not an ion by itself, while a proton is positively charged but is not an ion in typical chemical contexts. So the term for a positively charged ion is cation.