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what is anion and cation?

^{Cations and anions are both ions. The difference between a cation and an anion is the net electrical charge of the ion.}

^{Ions are atoms or molecules which have gained or lost one or more valence electrons giving the ion a net positive or negative charge.}

^{Cations are ions with a net positive charge.}

^{Silver: Ag+, hydronium: H3O+, and ammonium: NH4+}

^{Anions are ions with a net negative charge.}

^{Examples: hydroxide anion: OH-, oxide anion: O2-, and sulfate anion: SO42-.}