Question

State the difference between cation and anion.

Answer 1

Hint: Anions are the negatively charged ions formed by gaining electrons and cations are positively charged ions formed by donating electrons.

Complete answer:
The basic thing we need to know before differentiating between anion and cations is that the cations are positively charged ions and the anions are negatively charged ions.

Cations (positively charged ions)	Anions (negatively charged ions)
(1)They are formed when neutral atoms, molecules or ions lose or donate electrons and attain a positive charge.	(1)They are formed when neutral atoms, molecules or ions gain or accept electrons and attain a negative charge.
(2)When a covalent bond breaks and the shared pair of electrons moves to one atom only. Then the atom deficit in electrons forms cation.	(2) When a covalent bond breaks and the shared pair of electrons moves to one atom only. Then this atom rich in electrons forms anion.
(3)Cations are usually formed by the metal atoms because they have the ability to lose electrons.	(3)Anions are usually formed by non-metals because they have the ability to gain electrons.
(4)After losing electrons their total nuclear charge increases which reduces their size. So, the size of the cations is less than the size of its neutral atom.	(4)After gaining electrons their total nuclear charge decreases which increases their size. So, the size of the anion will always be more than the size of its neutral atom.
(5)Under the influence of the electric field the cations move toward the anode (negatively charged electrode).	(5)Under the influence of the electric field the anions move toward the cathode (positively charged electrode).
(6)In cations the number of protons is more than the number of electrons.	(6)They have more electrons than protons.
(7)Organic cations are known as carbocations.	(7)Organic anions are known as carbanions.
(8)Due to their small size they occupy little space or the interstitial space in the crystals.	(8)Due to their large size they occupy most of the space in the crystals.
(9)Examples: $N{a^ + }$, ${K^ + }$, $NH_4^ + $, $A{l^{ + 3}}$, $C{a^{ + 2}}$, etc.	(9)Examples: $C{l^ - }$, $B{r^ - }$, $SO_4^{ - 2}$, $PO_4^ - $, etc.

Note:
In gaseous state the cations and anions are highly reactive and so they react with each other to form neutral molecules. When the anions and cations are present in liquid state they react with the solvents to form solvated or hydrated ions which are more stable than the usual ions.