Question

What is the difference between cations and anions? (Select all the apply)

A.Cations are attracted to anions; anions are attracted to cations
B.Cations may be multiple atoms while anions may only be one atom
C.Cations are positive, anions are negative (a great way to remember this is "Cats are good, so cations are positive)
D.Cations are negative, anions are positive

Answer 1

A.Cations are attracted to anions; anions are attracted to cations.

C.Cations are positive, anions are negative.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cations are positively charged ions, which are formed when a neutral atom donates an electron or an electron pair for bonding and for reaching a more stable electron configuration.

Anions, on the other hand, are negatively charged ions, which are formed when a neutral atom gains an electron or an electron pair for bonding and for reaching a more stable electron configuration.

Through electrostatics, we know that negatives attract positives and vice-versa (Unlikes attract each other). Hence, Cations tend to strongly attract their counterparts, which are Anions.

Also, cations and anions can be innumerable in any substance.

Eg: Common Salt is a crystal lattice constituted by Na+ Cations and Cl- Anions.

Hence, A & C are the correct options.