Difference between Anions and Cations: Overview, Questions, Preparation

Chemistry is all about atoms and electrons that have either gained or lost their weight by eliminating or adding one or two valence electrons, carrying either positive or negative charge. The ions with a negative charge are called anions, and cations are those with a positive charge. As both have opposite charges, they are drawn to each other and form an ionic bond.

Cations and anions are covered in almost every chapter of chemistry, as reactions are presented in most chapters. There is a chapter titled ‘Atoms and Molecules’ that goes into detailed study.

In class 12, you have to have in-depth knowledge of cations and anions for understanding the detailed concepts of any chapter. The entire organic chemistry is based on reactions, and no reaction can be solved without knowing the charge on a cation or an anion.

1. How are anions and cations formed? 

A: As a metal loses electrons, cations (positively-charged ions) and anions (negatively-charged ions) are formed, and a nonmetal gains those electrons. 

2. What are cations and anions supposed to mean?

A: Due to the cumulative number of e- being unequal to the aggregate number of protons, an ion's net charge is non-zero. With fewer electrons than protons, a cation is a positively charged ion, while an anion is negatively charged, with more e- than protons.

3. What are the two ion types?

There are more electrons than protons in anions, and they thus have a net negative charge. There are more protons in cations than electrons, so they have a net positive charge. In different positions throughout a molecule, ‘zwitterions’ are neutral and contain both positive and negative charges.

Q: What is the difference between a cation and an anion?

Q: Is a cation negative or positive?

Q: What is a Cation Test?

Q: Is al3+ a cation or anion?

Q: Is an anion negative or positive?