Humber Admissions Practice Test

Which term describes ions that are negatively charged?

1. Cations

2. Anions

3. Atoms

4. Molecules

The correct answer is: Anions

The term that describes ions that are negatively charged is anions. Anions are formed when an atom gains one or more electrons, resulting in a net negative charge due to the increased number of electrons relative to the protons. This process occurs in various chemical reactions and is fundamental to the understanding of ionic compounds, where positively charged ions, known as cations, pair with anions to create stable structures. Atoms refer to the basic units of matter and can be neutral or charged depending on the balance of protons and electrons but do not specifically denote a charge. Molecules are collections of two or more atoms bonded together, and they can also be neutral, positively charged, or negatively charged, but again, the term does not specifically refer to negatively charged ions. Cations, on the other hand, specifically refer to positively charged ions, further differentiating them from anions.