Which of the following particles are responsible for the negative charge of an anion?

Which of the following particles are responsible for the negative charge of an anion?

• A. Neutrons
• B. Protons
• C. Electrons
• D. Valence electrons

Answer: (C)

The negative charge of an anion is attributed to the presence of extra electrons. An anion is formed when an atom gains one or more electrons, which results in an overall negative charge because electrons carry a negative charge. When an atom gains electrons, the number of negatively charged electrons exceeds the number of positively charged protons, leading to the anionic state. In contrast, neutrons do not carry any charge, and protons carry a positive charge, which means they do not affect the charge balance when determining whether an ion is an anion. Valence electrons refer specifically to the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom that are involved in chemical bonding and reactions, but it is the total number of electrons that determines whether the atom becomes negatively charged overall. Thus, the correct response is that electrons are responsible for the negative charge of an anion.

The negative charge of an anion is attributed to the presence of extra electrons. An anion is formed when an atom gains one or more electrons, which results in an overall negative charge because electrons carry a negative charge. When an atom gains electrons, the number of negatively charged electrons exceeds the number of positively charged protons, leading to the anionic state.

In contrast, neutrons do not carry any charge, and protons carry a positive charge, which means they do not affect the charge balance when determining whether an ion is an anion. Valence electrons refer specifically to the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom that are involved in chemical bonding and reactions, but it is the total number of electrons that determines whether the atom becomes negatively charged overall. Thus, the correct response is that electrons are responsible for the negative charge of an anion.