Prepare for Humber College Admissions Test. Practice with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Enhance your understanding and excel in your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


What charge do anions carry?

  1. Positively charged

  2. Negatively charged

  3. Neutral charge

  4. Variable charge

The correct answer is: Negatively charged

Anions carry a negative charge because they are formed when atoms gain one or more electrons. In this process, the addition of negatively charged electrons outnumbers the positively charged protons found in the nucleus of the atom, resulting in an overall negative charge. This characteristic distinguishes anions from other charged particles, such as cations, which are positively charged due to the loss of electrons. Understanding the nature of anions is crucial in various chemical contexts, such as reactions, ionic compounds, and electrochemistry, where the interactions between anions and cations play significant roles.