Question

A species contains 10 electrons and 12 protons. Is it an atom or a cation or an anion?

Answer 1

1. In a neutral atom, same number of electrons and protons are present.
2. For a species, if the number of electrons is less than the number of protons, that means, it must have lost/donated its electrons and as a result, it must have acquired positive charge. Thus, it becomes a cation.
3. For a species, if the number of electrons is more than the number of protons, that means, it must have accepted electrons and acquired a negative charge. Thus it becomes an anion.
4. In the given question, the species has 10 electrons but 12 protons, hence, it must be a cation.