A positive ion is formed by the...

A positive ion is formed by the...

• A. Gain electrons
• B. Loss electrons
• C. Gain protons
• D. Loss protons

Answer: (B)

Forming a positive ion happens when electrons are removed from an atom. Since electrons are negatively charged, taking away some of them leaves more positive charges from the protons than negative charges from the electrons, giving a net positive charge. This is why a positive ion, or cation, forms by losing electrons. If electrons were gained, the atom would become negatively charged, not positively. Gaining or losing protons would change the element itself, which isn’t how ions form in ordinary chemical processes.

Forming a positive ion happens when electrons are removed from an atom. Since electrons are negatively charged, taking away some of them leaves more positive charges from the protons than negative charges from the electrons, giving a net positive charge. This is why a positive ion, or cation, forms by losing electrons. If electrons were gained, the atom would become negatively charged, not positively. Gaining or losing protons would change the element itself, which isn’t how ions form in ordinary chemical processes.