Which of the following particles has a positive charge?

A cation is a positively charged particle, which is formed when an atom loses one or more electrons. This loss of negatively charged electrons results in a net positive charge for the particle, as the number of protons (which carry a positive charge) exceeds the number of electrons.

Understanding the charge of different particles is crucial in chemistry. For instance, anions are negatively charged due to the gain of electrons, while neutrons are neutral and carry no charge at all. Electrons, on the other hand, are also negatively charged. The distinction between cations and anions is fundamental in electrochemistry and helps explain concepts such as ionic bonding in compounds.

Recognizing the charge on particles helps predict how they will interact with each other in chemical reactions, making this knowledge vital for studying chemistry.