A cation is characterized by what type of charge?

A cation is defined as a positively charged ion. This occurs when an atom loses one or more electrons, resulting in a net positive charge due to the imbalance between the number of protons (which are positively charged) and the number of electrons (which are negatively charged). Cations are important in various chemical reactions, including those found in wastewater treatment processes. Their formation and interactions can influence the removal of pollutants and the overall effectiveness of treatment processes.

The other options do not accurately capture the nature of a cation. A neutral charge refers to atoms or molecules that have an equal number of protons and electrons, which does not apply to cations. A negatively charged species is known as an anion, not a cation. The notion that the charge varies based on type is misleading; cations are uniformly characterized by their positive charge regardless of their specific identity. Understanding the fundamental characteristics of cations is crucial for explaining their role in wastewater treatment and other chemical contexts.