A negatively charged ion that has more electrons than protons is referred to as an anion.
An anion forms when an atom or molecule gains one or more electrons, resulting in a net negative charge. This process can occur in various chemical reactions and is essential for the formation of ionic compounds. For example, when a chlorine atom gains an electron, it becomes a chloride ion (Cl–), which is an anion. Understanding anions is important in chemistry, especially when studying the behavior of compounds in solutions and their role in electrochemical processes.