Question

Define the terms ‘anion’ and cation'.

Answer 1

• Cations are the positively charged species that are formed by the loss of electrons by any element or molecule. Example, Sodium ion (${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$) is the cation formed by the loss of one electron (${\mathrm{e}}^{-}$) from the element Sodium ($\mathrm{Na}$).
• $\mathrm{Na}\to {\mathrm{Na}}^{+}+{\mathrm{e}}^{-}$
• Anions are negatively charged species that are formed by the gain of electrons by any element or molecule. Example, Chloride ion (${\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$) is the anion formed by the gain of one electron (${\mathrm{e}}^{-}$) by the element Chlorine ($\mathrm{Cl}$).
• $\mathrm{Cl}+{\mathrm{e}}^{-}\to {\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$