What is a positive ion? A negative ion?

Answer: The main difference between a positive ion (cation) and a negative ion (anion) is their net charge. A positive ion is an atom or molecule that has lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net positive charge, whereas a negative ion has gained one or more electrons, resulting in a net negative charge. They are formed through a process called ionization, which involves the transfer of electrons between atoms or molecules due to chemical reactions, exposure to radiation, or electrical discharges. The formation of positive or negative ions depends on the electronegativity of the atoms or molecules, with low electronegativity atoms losing electrons to become cations, and high electronegativity atoms gaining electrons to become anions.