Cation vs Anion — Difference (with Table)
Cation vs Anion compared side by side — a 6-row comparison table and 4 key points. Class 10 Chemistry, free and no sign-up.
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TL;DR: Cation vs Anion compared side by side — a 6-row comparison table and 4 key points. Class 10 Chemistry, free and no sign-up.
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The main difference between Cation and Anion: Cations are positively charged ions with fewer electrons than protons. Anions are negatively charged ions with more electrons than protons.
Cation vs Anion — Comparison Table
| Basis | Cation | Anion |
|---|---|---|
| Charge | Positive charge | Negative charge |
| Formation | Loss of electrons | Gain of electrons |
| Electron Count | Fewer electrons than protons | More electrons than protons |
| Mobility | Moves to cathode | Moves to anode |
| Examples | Na+, K+, Ca2+, H+ | Cl-, O2-, SO4 2-, OH- |
| Size | Usually smaller than neutral atom | Usually larger than neutral atom |
Key Points
- Ionic compounds form from cation-anion attraction
- Cations come from metals, anions from non-metals
- Charge must balance in ionic compounds
- Both are formed by electron transfer