Cation vs Anion

[Palmquist_Sierra_2N]

Can someone just explain what is a cation vs an anion and what is the importance of knowing the cations and anions?

[Marisa_Woo_2G]

A cation is an atom with its outermost electron(s) removed, while an anion is an atom with outermost electron(s) added.

This is important because atoms generally want to become more stable and have the full electron configuration of a noble gas. Cations tend to be elements on the left-hand side of the periodic table as these elements only need to lose one or a few electrons to reach the electron configuration of a noble gas. Anions tend to be elements on the right-hand side of the periodic table as these elements only need to add one or a few electrons to reach the electron configuration of a noble gas.

To help me remember this, I normally think that cats like to destroy objects (cations =take away electrons). :)

Hope this helps!

[Edgar Khachatryan 3G]

Also, just to add on, cations are smaller than anions and have a positive charges.

[Yolandia Winn 1A]

a good way to remember is
CATS have PAWS. Cations are positive.
An a-n-ion is a-negative-ion

[Madeline Musselman 3H]

Think of cations as positive by the letter "t" for a "+" sign, and then anions are just the opposite (so "-" negative sign).