Se Cation Or Anion

The ion that has the positive charge is called a cation, while the ion which has the negative charge on it is called as an anion. Secondly, the cation which is positively charged always gets attracted to the cathode (negative electrode), and the anion which is negatively charged get attract towards the anode (positive electrode).

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Each question's answer is either 'cations' or 'anions'. Learn with flashcards, games, and more — for free. Main Difference – Cation vs Anion. Cation and Anion are opposite terms in chemistry and stand for the two main types of ions formed. An ion is a state of matter upon the loss or gain of electron(s) compared to its actual state. When elements remain in their original form, they are known as ‘atoms’.

An atom or groups of atoms in which the number of protons and electrons are unequal, which gives them either the positive charge or negative charge such atoms are called as an ion. So precisely we can say that the net electrical charge hold by the ion is the key point to differentiate between the cation and anion.

This can be explained by taking the simple and familiar example of sodium chloride (NaCl). Here sodium acts as a cation and holds the positive charge (Na+), while chloride holds the negative charge and so known as an anion (Cl-). These both formed the neutral ionic bonds by sharing their protons and electrons with each other and mainly by the attractions of the opposite charge they contain. This is mainly done to attain the stability.

From the periodic table we can easily identify the cation or the anion, just by seeing the position of an atom. Maximum metals, alkali metals, and alkaline earth metals form cations while the non-metals and halogens forms anions and exception are the noble gases. In this article, we will discuss the variation among the cation and anion, and a brief description of them.

How cation and anion exchange resins are similar. Cation and anion exchange resins are both small, porous, plastic beads (approximately.5 mm diameter, which varies) that are fixed with a specific charge. This “fixed” charge cannot be removed and is part of the resin’s crosslinked makeup or structure.

Content: Cation Vs Anion

Comparison Chart

Definition of Cation

When an atom is in the neutral state, it contains the equal number of electrons and protons. But if it donates the electrons which are negatively charged, ions are left with protons due to which it gains the positive charge. So the formation of cations takes place when an atom donate electrons.

This is done to attain the noble gas configuration. At the time of electrolysis, cations are attracted towards the cathode, which is negatively charged. Most metals forms cations. The word cation is derived from the Greek word ‘kata‘, which means down. A cation containing net positive charge is indicated with a superscript ‘+’ after the chemical formula like NH4+.

Definition of Anion

Such ions which hold the number of electrons than protons, they attain the negative charge. Anions can be monovalent or bivalent. Monovalent are such ions which can combine with the single hydrogen ion like chloride ions Cl-, bromide Br-, iodide I-.

Anions are attracted towards anode which is positively charged at the time of electrolysis. Most non-metals form the anion through reduction or by polar compounds through ionization. The word anion is derived from the Greek word ‘ano‘ which means up. An anion having the net positive charge is indicated with a superscript ‘-‘ after the chemical formula like OH-, NO3-, O2-.

Key Differences Between Cation and Anion

Cation Vs Anion

Given below are the essential points which differentiate the cations to that of anions:

1. The net charge gained by an ion of an atom or atoms is the fundamental phenomena to separate the and anion. So an atom or molecule having more number of protons than electrons and are positively charged is called cation, while an atom or molecule having more number of electrons than protons and are negatively charged is called anion.
2. Cations are formed from metal atoms and are positively charged, on the other hand, anions are formed from non-metals atoms and are negatively charged.
3. Cations combine with the anions to form the ionic bonds and vice versa. On electrolysis, cations always move towards the cathode, which produces negative charge and anions always move towards the anode, which produces the positive charge.
4. Iron (Fe2+), Sodium (Na+), Lead (Pb2+) are few examples of cations, while Fluoride (F-), Bromide (Br-), Iodide (I-), Nitride (N3-) and Hydride (H-) are examples of anions.

Conclusion

Cation and anion are among the common words of the chemistry. But if we go in depth, there are many other similar terms too, like neutrons, protons, electrons. These are the subatomic particles of an atom, which is the most tin particle and is invisible to the naked eyes. Ions are formed of such atom or group of atoms.

As we discussed above that the ion tends to be stable if it has the equal number of protons and electrons, but when it loses or gains the protons or electrons, it gains the positive or negative charge and is said as cations or anions. In this article, we discussed the ions which differentiated by net charge holds by them.

Main Difference – Cation vs Anion

Se Cation Or Anion Definition

Cation and Anion are opposite terms in chemistry and stand for the two main types of ions formed. An ion is a state of matter upon the loss or gain of electron(s) compared to its actual state. When elements remain in their original form, they are known as ‘atoms’. However, most of the elements do not remain in their atomic state in nature; they tend to either acquire or giveaway electrons in order to attain stability like the noble gases. As a pre-step for the formation of compounds, these atoms transform them into positions or states of matter called ‘cations’ or ‘anions’. A cation is formed when an atom gives away electrons; an anion is formed when an atom acquires electrons. This is the main difference between cation and anion.

What is a Cation

As mentioned above, a cation is formed when an atom gives away electrons. The atomic nucleus consists of protons which are positively charged. An atom, in its original form, has an equal number of electrons and protons. Electrons are negatively charged and has a charge similar to that of a proton. Therefore, when an atom gives away electrons, it develops a relative positive charge, as the number of protons in the nucleus exceeds the number of electrons in the shell. Hence, cations are positively charged.

Cations are usually formed by metal atoms in an attempt to gain the noble gas configuration. The word cation in Greek means ‘down,’ which can be related to the lowering of the number of electrons. During the electrolysis processes, cations are attracted to the cathode as the cathode produces negative charges. Cations can be elemental or complex in nature. A cation complex will contain several elements grouped together which shares a positive charge. This is common among the d block elements. Furthermore, a single element can have several cations depending on their state of oxidation. i.e. singular charge, doubly charged, triply charged, etc. Some common cations include; Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Fe³⁺ etc.

What is an Anion

As mentioned in the introduction, an anion is formed when an atom acquires electrons. Therefore, due to the addition of these electrons, the number of electrons within the elemental shells exceeds the number of protons within the nucleus. As the protons are positively charged, and the electrons are negatively charged, the anion develops a negative charge.

Anions are usually formed by non-metal elements in an attempt to gain the noble gas configuration. The word anion in Greek means ‘up,’ which could be related to the increase in the number of electrons within the element. During the process of electrolysis, anions are attracted to the anode, as the anode produces positive charges. Anions can be elemental or complex in nature. An anion complex will contain several elements grouped together which shares the negative charge. This is common among the d block elements. Also, a single element can have several anions depending on their state of oxidation. i.e. singular charge, doubly charged, triply charged, etc. Some common cations include; F^–, O^2-, NO₃^– etc.

Difference Between Cation and Anion

Definition

A cationis a positively charged ion resulted by the release of one or more electrons from its shells in the attempt to increase stability

An anionis a negatively charged ion resulted by the acceptance of one or more electrons to its shells in the attempt to increase stability.

Charge

Cationsare positively charged.

Anionsare negatively charged.

Form of Atom

Cations are usually formed by metal atoms.

Se Cation Or Anion In Blood

Anionsare usually formed by non-metal atoms.

Electrolysis

Cationsare attracted to the cathode (the end that produces negative charges).

Anionsare attracted to the anode (the end that produces positive charges).

Formation of Compounds

Cationsform electrostatic interactions with anions to form ionic compounds.

Anionsform electrostatic interactions with cations to form ionic compounds.

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