Cathodic Protection Tester Practice Exam

Positively charged ions are called what?

1. Anions

2. Cations

3. Ions

4. Electrolytes

The correct answer is: Cations

Positively charged ions are known as cations. This term is derived from the Greek word 'kation', meaning 'to go down' or 'to move down', reflecting how these ions move towards a negative electrode during electrolysis. Cations are formed when an atom or molecule loses one or more electrons, resulting in a net positive charge due to the higher number of protons compared to electrons. In the context of electrochemistry and cathodic protection, understanding the nature of cations is crucial as they play a significant role in various processes, including corrosion inhibition and electrochemical reactions. When metals corrode, metal atoms can lose electrons and form cations that enter the electrolyte, contributing to the corrosion process. This knowledge is essential for professionals in cathodic protection, where controlling or mitigating corrosion is a key objective. Other terms in the list, such as anions and electrolytes, refer to different concepts: anions are negatively charged ions, while electrolytes are substances that contain free ions and can conduct electricity, which encompasses both cations and anions. Ions as a general term include both positively and negatively charged particles. Thus, the specific designation of positively charged ions as cations is what makes the correct answer