The difference between cation and anion mainly depends on the electrical charge of the ion. Furthermore, both cations and anions happen to be ions. Moreover, the ions are atoms or molecules that have either lost or gained one or multiple valence electrons.
Definition of Cation
A cation refers to an ionic species that contains a positive charge. Therefore, there is a difference between cation and anion as the latter has a negative charge. Moreover, the number of protons in cation is more than the number of electrons.
Definition of Anion
An anion refers to an ionic species that contains a negative charge. Anion is larger than cation due to it having extra electrons around it. This is another difference between cation and anion.
Difference between Cation and Anion
Difference between Cation and Anion
Important difference between cation and anion
| Parameter | Cation | Anion |
| Definition | A cation refers to an atom or a group of atoms that bear one or multiple positive electric charges | An anion refers to an atom or a group of atoms that bear one or multiple electric charges |
| Electric charge | Cation has either one positive charge or multiple positive charges | Anion has either one negative charge or multiple negative charges |
| Electric field | There is an attraction of cations towards the negative terminal of an electric field | There is an attraction of anions towards the positive terminal of an electric field |
| Atoms | The formation of cations takes place from the metal atoms | There is a formation of anions from the non-metal atoms |
| Electrons | The number of protons in cations is more than electrons | The number of electrons in anions is more than the number of protons |
| Reactions | Cations react with anions to result in the formation of neutral molecules | Anions react with cations to result in the formation of neutral molecules |
| Organic ions | Carbocations is a term for organic cations | Carbanions is a term for organic anions |
| Cation example and anion example | Silver: Ag+ | Hydroxide anion: OH- |
FAQs About Cation and Anion
Question 1: Give any one difference between cation and anion?
Answer 1: Any one difference between cation and anion can be on the basis of electric charge. Furthermore, cation has either one positive charge or more than one positive charges. Moreover, anion has either one negative charge or more than one negative charges.
Question 2: Explain the reaction of anions?
Answer 2: Anions reacts with cations to result in the making of neutral molecules.
