What is the difference between a cation and an anion? How are they formed? Give the names and symbols of one cation and one anion.


Cations are positively charged ions. They are formed by the loss of one or more electrons from an atom.
Example: Sodium loses 1 electron to form sodium ion Na+ ion.

Anions are negatively charged ions. They are formed by gaining of one or more electrons by an atom.
Example: Chlorine gains one electron and form chloride ion Cl ion.

Updated on: 10-Oct-2022

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