Which of the following defines a cation?

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A cation is defined as an ion that possesses a positive charge. This occurs when an atom loses one or more electrons, which are negatively charged particles. As a result, the atom now has more protons (positively charged) than electrons, leading to a net positive charge.

For example, when sodium (Na) loses an electron, it becomes a sodium cation (Na⁺). The positive charge signifies that it has a deficiency of negatively charged electrons compared to its positively charged protons. This is a fundamental concept in chemistry, particularly in the study of ionic compounds and chemical bonding.

On the other hand, the other options do not accurately characterize a cation. An ion with a negative charge refers to an anion, an uncharged atom would be a neutral atom, and a type of covalent bond pertains to the sharing of electrons between atoms, rather than the definition of a charged species. Understanding these definitions is crucial for grasping the nature of ionic and covalent bonding in chemistry.