What is the term for an atom that has gained an electron?

What is the term for an atom that has gained an electron?

• A. Cation
• B. Anion
• C. Ion
• D. Atom

Answer: (C)

When an atom gains an electron, it becomes an anion. The gain of an electron adds a negative charge to the atom because electrons carry a negative charge. Thus, the process transforms the electrically neutral atom into one that has a net negative charge due to the imbalance between the number of protons (positively charged) and electrons. A cation, in contrast, is an atom that has lost one or more electrons, resulting in a positive charge. The term "ion" generally refers to any charged particle, which can be either a cation or an anion. Therefore, while "ion" includes both types, the specific term for an atom that has gained an electron is anion. The term "atom" refers to a neutral particle with no net charge, which does not apply when discussing the gain of an electron. Therefore, the correct term for an atom that has gained an electron is anion.

When an atom gains an electron, it becomes an anion. The gain of an electron adds a negative charge to the atom because electrons carry a negative charge. Thus, the process transforms the electrically neutral atom into one that has a net negative charge due to the imbalance between the number of protons (positively charged) and electrons.

A cation, in contrast, is an atom that has lost one or more electrons, resulting in a positive charge. The term "ion" generally refers to any charged particle, which can be either a cation or an anion. Therefore, while "ion" includes both types, the specific term for an atom that has gained an electron is anion. The term "atom" refers to a neutral particle with no net charge, which does not apply when discussing the gain of an electron.

Therefore, the correct term for an atom that has gained an electron is anion.