Answer:
Ionic charges refer to the electrical charges of ions, which are atoms or molecules that have gained or lost electrons. These charges result from the loss or gain of electrons during chemical reactions.
When an atom loses one or more electrons, it becomes a positively charged ion known as a cation. The cation carries a positive charge equal to the number of electrons lost.
Conversely, when an atom gains one or more electrons, it becomes a negatively charged ion known as an anion. The anion carries a negative charge equal to the number of electrons gained.
The magnitude of the ionic charge depends on the number of electrons gained or lost, which is determined by the element's position in the periodic table and its electron configuration. For example, sodium (Na) loses one electron to become a +1 charged cation (Na+), while chlorine (Cl) gains one electron to become a -1 charged anion (Cl-).