Final answer:
Atoms form ions by gaining or losing electrons. A cation forms when an atom loses electrons, while an anion forms when an atom gains electrons. An ionic bond is formed between oppositely charged ions, while a covalent bond is formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ions are formed when atoms gain or lose electrons. A cation (a positive ion) forms when a neutral atom loses one or more electrons from its valence shell, and an anion (a negative ion) forms when a neutral atom gains one or more electrons in its valence shell. An example of a cation is sodium (Na+), which loses one electron to form a positive ion. An example of an anion is chloride (Cl-), which gains one electron to form a negative ion.
Difference between ionic and covalent bonds:
An ionic bond is formed by the attraction between a positive ion (cation) and a negative ion (anion). These ions are held together due to the opposite charges, similar to how oppositely charged magnets stick together. A covalent bond is formed when electrons are shared between two atoms. Each atom shares one of their electrons, which then orbits the nuclei of both atoms. Covalent bonds are typically formed between nonmetal atoms.