Final answer:
An ion is an atom or molecule that has a nonzero total charge due to having unequal numbers of electrons and protons. Cations are positive ions formed when neutral atoms lose electrons, while anions are negative ions formed when neutral atoms gain electrons.
Step-by-step explanation:
An ion is an atom or molecule that has a nonzero total charge due to having unequal numbers of electrons and protons.
A cation is a positive ion formed when a neutral atom loses one or more electrons from its valence shell, while an anion is a negative ion formed when a neutral atom gains one or more electrons in its valence shell.
So, the term for ions capable of carrying an electric charge is ions.