What is the Difference Between Anion and Cation?

The main difference between anions and cations lies in their electrical charges. Here are the key differences between the two:

• Charge: Cations are positively-charged ions, while anions are negatively-charged ions.
• Formation: For a cation to form, one or more electrons must be lost, typically pulled away by atoms with a stronger affinity for them. To form an anion, one or more electrons must be gained, typically pulled away from other atoms with a weaker affinity for them.
• Examples: Some common examples of cations include sodium (Na+), iron (Fe2+), and lead (Pb2+). Examples of anions include sulfide (S2-), oxide (O2-), fluoride (F-), and chloride (Cl-).
• Type of Element: Cations are typically formed by metal atoms, while anions are formed by non-metal atoms.

Both cations and anions are attracted to each other due to their opposite electrical charges. Cations repel other cations, and anions repel other anions.

Comparative Table: Anion vs Cation

Here is a table comparing the differences between anions and cations:

Anions are negatively charged ions, while cations are positively charged ions. Anions gain one or more electrons, leading to their negative charge, whereas cations lose one or more electrons, resulting in their positive charge. In general, anions are formed by non-metals, while cations are formed by metals.