Anions and Cations Difference - Meaning, Example, Types, Uses, FAQs

Cation

The ions with a positive charge are referred to as cations. Examples of Cations include Na⁺, Al⁺³, Ce⁺³, and so on. When an atom loses an electron, it obtains a positive charge because its nucleus has fewer electrons than protons. The positively charged species is then referred to as a cation. Faraday and Whewell coined the phrase. It is derived from the Greek words (káto) ἰόv,, and (kation), both of which indicate “going down”.

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Anion

The ions with a negative charge are known as anions. Examples of Anions include O^-2, CN^-, OH^-, Cl^-, and others. When an atom gains electrons to achieve stability, it acquires a negative charge because its nucleus contains more electrons than protons. This negatively charged species is therefore referred to as an anion charge. Faraday and Whewell coined the phrase. It comes from the Greek word ἄvω ἰόv (anion) meaning “going up” Positive ions are called anions.

Cation vs Anion

Positively charged ions are known as cations. Negatively charged ions are known as anions. Ions are positively or negatively charged atoms or molecules. A balanced atom will become a positively charged cation if one or more electrons are lost.

How to use Cation vs Anion-Remember that cations are positive ions, meaning they have lost one or more electrons and hence have more protons than electrons. Anions are negatively charged ions because they have acquired one or more electrons and so have more electrons than protons(cation vs anion).

Difference Between Cations and Anions

The Major Difference Between an Anion and a Cation in Terms of Charge, Nature of the Element, and the Electrode are given as:

The above table shows the difference between cation and anion(cation vs anion).

Anions and Cation can be Distinguished from one Another as:

Uses of Cations and Anions

In our daily lives, cations play a crucial function. Blood pressure regulation and muscular contraction are both dependent on sodium, potassium, and magnesium ions. Calcium ions are a crucial component of bone structure. Water softeners can use sodium ions to eliminate other hazardous elements.

Anions are negatively charged ions that are generated when electrons outnumber protons in atoms or molecules. Anions and cations frequently interact to form salts, which are essential in the human body. From Hormones production to DNA construction, these particles are involved in a variety of important biological activities.

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Some Solved Examples

Question 1: When a sodium atom forms a sodium ion, it:
A) Gains one electron
B) Loses one electron
C) Gains one proton
D) Shares one electron

Solution:

Sodium $(\mathrm{Na}) \rightarrow \mathrm{Na}^{+}+\mathrm{e}^{-}$
It loses one electron to achieve the stable configuration of neon $(2,8)$. Hence, $\mathrm{Na}^{+}$is a cation.

hence, the correct answer is option (B)

Question 2: Which of the following pairs represents a cation and an anion respectively?
A) $\mathrm{Na}^{+}$and $\mathrm{Cl}^{-}$
B) $\mathrm{Cl}^{-}$and $\mathrm{Na}^{+}$
C) $\mathrm{O}^{2-}$ and $\mathrm{N}^{3-}$
D) $\mathrm{H}^{+}$and $\mathrm{K}^{+}$

Solution:

Na⁺ is a cation (positively charged), and Cl⁻ is an anion (negatively charged). Together, they form NaCl (ionic compound).

Hence, the correct answer is option (A)

Question 3: The total number of protons and electrons in the ion Ca²⁺ are respectively:
A) 18 and 20
B) 20 and 18
C) 22 and 18
D) 20 and 22

Solution:

$\begin{aligned} & \text { Calcium }(\text { atomic number }=20) \rightarrow \mathrm{Ca}^{2+}+2 \mathrm{e}^{-} \\ & \text {Protons }=20(\text { unchanged }), \text { Electrons }=20-2=18 .\end{aligned}$

Hence, the correct answer is option (B)

Question 4: An ion has 10 electrons and 8 protons. The ion is:
A) Ne
B) $\mathrm{O}^{2-}$
C) $\mathrm{F}^{-}$
D) $\mathrm{Na}^{+}$

Solution:

Oxygen atom (8 protons) gains 2 electrons to form $\mathrm{O}^{2-}$ (10 electrons). Thus, it is an anion.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B)