HI friend ... Atoms or Groups of atoms bearing charges are known as " ions ". The number of protons would not be equal to the no: of electrons , in an ion. There are two types of ions :- ✪ Positively charged Ions [ Cations ] ✪ Negatively Charged Ions [ Anions ] Cations are those ions which are positively charged. These ions give away its electrons to make themselves stable For example : Mg²⁺ , Fe²⁺ etc ... Anions are those ions which are negatively charged. These ions take electrons from other elements to make itself stable. Examples : Cl⁻ , S²⁻