Question

Choose the correct answer.

An atom that loses electrons becomes a positively- charged ion called__________.

• A. Cation
• B. Anion
• C. Ion
• D. All of these

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Cation

The explanation for the correct option -

Option (A) Cation

• An atom that loses electrons becomes a positively charged ion called a cation or electropositive ion.
• Example - Sodium loses one electron and forms a sodium positive ion.

$\underset{\mathrm{Sodium}}{\mathrm{Na}}\to \underset{\mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{ion}}{{\mathrm{Na}}^{+}}+{\mathrm{e}}^{-}$

The explanation for the incorrect option -

Option (B) Anion

• An atom that gains electrons becomes a negatively- charged ion called an anion or electronegative.
• Example - Chlorine gain one electron and forms a chloride ion.

$\underset{\mathrm{Chlorine}}{\mathrm{Cl}}+{\mathrm{e}}^{-}\to \underset{\mathrm{Chloride}\mathrm{ion}}{{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}}$

Option (C) Ion

• Ions- An atom or a molecule that has gained or lost one or more of its parts (electrons) and so has a positive or negative electric charge is called ions.

Option (D) All of these

Therefore, Option (A)i.e. cation is the correct answer.