Question

What is the difference between an anion and a cation?

Answer 1

@Zale101

Answer 2

@Jesstho.-.

Answer 3

Cation are referred to metals that are positively charged. In a chemical formula, Cations are usually written first. Anions are nonmetals and are negatively charged. Anions are mentioned lastly in the chemical formula and usually ends with -ide (if there not polyatomics)
For example, NaCl. Na is sodium, positively charged by 1+ (cation)and it's on the alkali metals. Cl is chlorine, it's negatively charged by 1-, and it's a nonmetal.

The name of this compound, NaCl, is \(\color{blue}{Sodium}~\color{red}{Chloride}\)
Sodium, the cation is first, and Chlorine, the anion is written last.

Answer 4

Thank you so much! Can you help me with a few more?

Answer 5

Sure.