Question

which of the following statements is true about ions?
cations form when an atom loses electrons.
cations form when an atom gains electrons.
anions form when an atom gains protons.
anions form when an atom loses protons.

Explanation:

• Cations: Cations are positively - charged ions. Since electrons are negatively - charged, when an atom loses electrons (which are negatively charged), the number of protons (positively charged) exceeds the number of electrons, resulting in a positive charge. So, cations form when an atom loses electrons.
• Anions: Anions are negatively - charged ions. They form when an atom gains electrons (negatively charged), not when an atom gains or loses protons. Protons are located in the nucleus, and under normal chemical reaction conditions (not nuclear reactions), the number of protons in an atom does not change easily.

Answer:

Cations form when an atom loses electrons.