Question

Cations are formed by ___ (loss/gain) of electrons and anions are formed by ___ (loss/gain) of electrons.
A.Loss, gain
B.Gain, gain
C.Loss, loss
D.Gain, loss

Answer 1

Ions are defined as the charged atoms either positively or negatively. If an atom gains the electron then it will attain negative charge and if the atom loses the electron then it will attain positive charge.

Complete step by step solution:
First of all let us define atoms, electrons and ions.
Atom: They are defined as the smallest unit of any substance. They are unbreakable.
Atoms contain three elements electrons, protons and neutrons.
Electrons: They are the negatively charged particle in the atom. They revolve in the atom in certain fixed paths.
Protons: They are positively charged particles in an atom. They are placed in a special room in an atom which is known as nucleus.
The number of electrons and protons for a neutral atom is equal. So the neutral atom has no charge.
Neutrons: They are neutral particles in an atom. They are also present in the nucleus of an atom along with the protons.
Ions: They are defined as the charged atoms either positively or negatively. If an atom gains the electron then it will attain negative charge and if the atom loses the electron then it will attain positive charge. Atoms cannot gain or lose protons because they are present inside the atom.
Cations: They are formed when an atom loses one or more electrons. As the number of protons (positive charge) are greater than the number of electrons (negative charge) in an atom so they positively charged ions.
Anions: They are formed when atoms gain one or more electrons. As the number of protons (positive charge) are less than the number of electrons (negative charge) in an atom so they negatively charge ions.
Hence, cations are formed by loss of electrons and anions are formed by gain of electrons.

So option A is correct.

Note:
Examples of cation are as ${H^ + },F{e^{2 + }},F{e^{3 + }}$ when hydrogen loses one electron then it forms ${H^ + }$ and when iron loses two electrons then it forms $F{e^{2 + }}$ and when iron loses three electrons then it forms $F{e^{3 + }}$. Similarly examples of anions are as $C{l^ - },{O^{2 - }}$ when chlorine gains one electron then it forms $C{l^ - }$ and when oxygen gains two electrons then it forms ${O^{2 - }}$.