Humber Admissions Practice Test

What term describes ions that are positively charged?

1. Cations

2. Anions

3. Molecules

4. Electrons

The correct answer is: Cations

The term that describes ions which carry a positive charge is cations. Cations are formed when an atom or molecule loses one or more electrons, resulting in an overall positive charge due to the excess of protons compared to electrons. This phenomenon is critical in many chemical and physical processes, including the formation of ionic compounds, where cations pair with negatively charged ions, known as anions. In contrast, the other terms listed relate to different concepts in chemistry. Anions, for example, are negatively charged ions that result from the gain of electrons. Molecules refer to chemically bonded groups of atoms, and electrons are subatomic particles that carry a negative charge. Understanding these definitions helps clarify the role of cations in various chemical reactions and their significance in fields such as biochemistry and materials science.