What is the difference between a cation and an anion ? How are they formed ? Give the names and symbols of one cation and one anion.

The difference between a cation and an anion can be understood by, 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.