A positively charged ion is known as cation. A cation is formed by the loss of one or more electrons by an atom. For example: sodium loses 1 electron to form a sodium ion, Na + , which is a cation.
A negatively charged ion is known as anion. An anion is formed by the gain of one or more electrons by an atom. For example: A chlorine atom gains (accepts) 1 electron to form a chloride ion, Cl – , which is an anion.
