Which statement correctly assigns charges to cations and anions?

• A. Cation positive; Anion negative
• B. Cation negative; Anion positive
• C. Cation positive; Anion neutral
• D. Cation neutral; Anion negative

Answer: (A)

When atoms form ions, they either lose or gain electrons, which changes their net electric charge. Losing electrons leaves more protons than electrons, so the ion becomes positively charged (a cation). Gaining electrons adds more negative charge, so the ion becomes negatively charged (an anion). This is why cations are positive and anions are negative. For example, sodium loses an electron to become Na+, while chlorine gains an electron to become Cl−; these opposite charges also help ionic compounds form stable bonds.

So the statement that a cation is positive and an anion is negative aligns with how ions are created and behave. The other possibilities would imply a cation carrying a negative charge or an anion carrying a positive or neutral charge, which isn’t consistent with the way electron transfer determines ion charge.