A Level Chemistry OCR Practice Exam

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Which term refers to a positively charged ion?

Anion
Cation
Neutral ion
Radical

The correct answer is: Cation

The term that refers to a positively charged ion is cation. Cations are formed when an atom or molecule loses one or more electrons, resulting in a net positive charge. This loss of negatively charged electrons leaves behind more positively charged protons than electrons. For example, when a sodium atom loses an electron, it becomes a sodium cation, Na⁺. In contrast, anions are negatively charged ions that occur when an atom gains electrons. The term "neutral ion" does not accurately describe ions since ions, by definition, have either a positive or negative charge. Lastly, radicals are species that have unpaired electrons, and they do not necessarily refer to charged species. This clarification highlights why cation is the correct term for a positively charged ion.