What is the definition of a cation?

A cation is defined as a positively charged ion, which means it has more protons than electrons. This positive charge occurs when an atom loses one or more electrons, resulting in an overall surplus of positive charge. Cations play crucial roles in various chemical reactions and biological processes, including ionic bonding, where cations interact with anions (negatively charged ions) to form neutral compounds.

In the context of identifying cations, it's important to recognize how they differ from other entities such as negatively charged ions, uncharged atoms, and neutral atoms. Negatively charged ions, or anions, result from the gain of electrons and cannot properly define a cation. Uncharged atoms have equal numbers of protons and electrons, meaning they do not possess the charge that defines cations. Neutral atoms, similarly, lack the charge that characterizes cations. Thus, the definition of a cation being a positively charged ion encompasses the core concept and its role in chemistry effectively.