A cation is an ion that has a net positive charge because it has lost one or more electrons, giving it more protons than electrons. Cations are formed when a balanced atom loses one or more electrons, typically pulled away by atoms with a stronger affinity for them. The number of electrons lost, and thus the charge of the ion, is indicated after the chemical symbol. For example, silver (Ag) loses one electron to become Ag+, while zinc (Zn) loses two electrons to become Zn2+ . Some examples of cations are Calcium (Ca2+), Potassium (K+), and hydrogen (H+) .
In contrast, an anion is an ion that has a net negative charge because it has gained one or more electrons, giving it more electrons than protons. Anions are formed when a balanced atom gains one or more electrons. Some examples of anions are Sulfide, Oxide, Fluoride, and Chloride.
The main difference between cations and anions is their charge. Cations are positively charged, while anions are negatively charged.
