During an action potential, activation of voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels occurs at different rates. what is the effect of this difference on ion flow across an axon membrane? during an action potential, activation of voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels occurs at different rates. what is the effect of this difference on ion flow across an axon membrane? k+ will flow into the cell first and then na+ will flow out of the cell. initially, na+ flows into the cell and then k+ flows out of the cell. sodium ions flow out of the cell, then potassium ions flow out of the cell. first, sodium ions flow into the cell, and then potassium ions flow into the cell.