In: Biology
Answer (part 1)
Na+ is usually present at a much higher concentration outside of a cell than inside. If a channel route or carrier protein gets open, Na+ ions will move down their concentration gradient and move to the interior of the cell, making the inside of the cell more positive relative to outside.
Because of this, the sodium equilibrium potential (the electrical potential difference across the cell membrane that exactly balances the Na+ concentration gradient) will be positive. So, in a system where Na+ is the only permeant ion, the membrane potential will be positive.
Answer (part 2)
The electrical potential difference across the cell membrane that exactly balances the concentration gradient for an ion is known as the equilibrium potential.
Resting Membrane Potential (RMP) is the voltage (charge) difference across the cell membrane when the cell is at rest. RMP is a product of the distribution of charged particles (ions).