Cathodic Protection Tester Practice Exam

What are negatively charged ions referred to as?

1. Anions

2. Cations

3. Electrons

4. Nutrients

The correct answer is: Anions

Negatively charged ions are referred to as anions. This term is derived from the fact that anions are formed when an atom gains one or more electrons, resulting in a net negative charge. In the context of chemistry and electrochemistry, understanding the behavior of anions is crucial, especially in processes such as cathodic protection, where the movement of ions plays a significant role in preventing corrosion. In contrast, cations are positively charged ions, formed when an atom loses electrons. Electrons themselves are subatomic particles with a negative charge, but they are not classified as ions. Nutrients typically refer to substances that provide nourishment, particularly in biological contexts, and do not specifically relate to ion charge. This distinction makes "anions" the correct and relevant term for negatively charged ions.