The loss or gain of electrons
Explanation:
The loss or gain of electrons determines if an atom will become a cation or anion.
A cation is a positively charge ion
An anion is a negatively charged ion.
In an atom, we have sub-atomic particles:
Protons are the positively charged particles
Electrons are negatively charged
Neutrons carry no charges
Only electrons can be lost or gained in chemical processes that forms cations and anions.
When a neutral atom gains electron, it has more electrons than protons. This makes it negatively charged and we call it an anion.
When a neutral atom loses an electron, the number of protons is more. We call it a cation.
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