A negative ion is called a / an _________.

Options

A. Cathode
B. Anode
C. Cation
D. anion

Answer

To answer the question "A negative ion is called a/an ________," we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Definition of an Ion
An ion is an atom or molecule that has a net electrical charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons.

**Hint:** Remember that ions can be either positively charged (cations) or negatively charged (anions).

### Step 2: Identify the Types of Ions
- **Cation:** A positively charged ion, which occurs when an atom loses one or more electrons.
- **Anion:** A negatively charged ion, which occurs when an atom gains one or more electrons.

**Hint:** Focus on the charge of the ion to determine if it is a cation or anion.

### Step 3: Determine the Charge of the Ion in Question
The question specifically refers to a "negative ion." This means we are looking for an ion that has gained electrons.

**Hint:** Recall that gaining electrons results in a negative charge.

### Step 4: Identify the Correct Term for a Negative Ion
Since a negative ion is formed by the gain of electrons, it is specifically called an **anion**.

**Hint:** The prefix "a-" in "anion" indicates a negative charge, contrasting with "cation" which indicates a positive charge.

### Final Answer
A negative ion is called an **anion**.