Cations &

Anions
+
+ +
+
+
What is the difference between a cation and anion?

Color the
elements that are
-
- --
most likely to
form cations
yellow, and the
elements that are
-
most likely to
form anions,
blue. A trend will
appear. Pay
attention and
remember this
trend!

F
S Au
K A l Watch out for:

Ca NO A l
I 3 H
Color cations
yellow! Um…you could
write in the charges
And anions next to the ions.
blue!
B
©2019 CoScine https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Coscine
Circle, color, or highlight the characteristics of cations in the box next to the
cation. Then, circle, color, or highlight the characteristics of anions in the box
next to the anion.

I am usually…
Polyatomic ion
Metal Non-Metal

Right side
Left side

Periodic Periodic

Cation +
L o s t e-
-
g a i n e d e-

I am usually…

Polyatomic ion
Metal Non-Metal
Right side
Left side

Periodic Periodic

Lost
+ e- gained
- e-
Anion
Subatomic These subatomic particles have a
good point! What would happen

Issues if an electron gets removed?

Yeah? What

+ happens if
you get
removed?
I’m here to
balance you
out!

Cations are
w
pawsitive
+ + +
+ +
+
+
+

Anions are
negative
 What charge does each group
usually have? Put the number in the
boxes above each group.

Lithium, oxygen, and beryllium are drawn below. Write whether each is a cation
or anion based on how many electrons each atom should have. Look at the
periodic table and remember that the number of protons is the same as the
atomic number.

Lithium Oxygen Beryllium

- -
- -
- - -
- ++ + + +
+ -
+ +
- + + + + +
+ +
-
- - - -
-
-

-
- - -
- ++ + + +
+ -
+ + + + +
+ +
+ + -
- -
- -
-
Cations &
Anions
+
+ +
+
+
What is the difference between a cation and anion?
A cation is a positively charged ion that has lost an electron from it’s valence
shell. An anion is a negatively charged ion that has gained an electron into it’s
valence shell.

Color the
elements that are
-
- --
most likely to
form cations
yellow, and the
elements that are
-
most likely to
form anions,
blue. A trend will
appear. Pay
attention and
remember this
trend!
-
F 3+
S
2- +

K +
Al Au Watch out for:

2+ Polyatomic ions!!!!

Ca NO- Be + 2+ So many students will look for

the cation and anions within a

I
- 3 H
Color cations
polyatomic ion. That isn’t how it
works. Memorize your
yellow! Um…you could
polyatomic ions and remember
write in the charges
And anions next to the ions. they act as anions, with a few
3+
blue!
B exceptions like NH4.

©2019 CoScine https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Coscine

Circle, color, or highlight the characteristics of cations in the box next to the
cation. Then, circle, color, or highlight the characteristics of anions in the box
next to the anion.

I am usually…
Polyatomic ion
Metal Non-Metal

Right side
Left side

Periodic Periodic

Cation +
L o s t e-
-
g a i n e d e-

I am usually…

Polyatomic ion
Metal Non-Metal
Right side
Left side

Periodic Periodic

Lost
+ e-
-
gained e-
Anion
Subatomic These subatomic particles have a
good point! What would happen

Issues if an electron gets removed?

The loss of an electron is the

definition of a cation being
formed. Without the negative
Yeah? What charge from the electron to

+ happens if
you get
removed?
I’m here to
balance you
balance out the proton, there
would be an excess of positive
charge on the ion, leaving a
out! cation.

- Refer students to page 1 for the

definition or page 4 to see the
models.

Cations are
w
pawsitive
+ + +
+ +
+
+
+

Anions are
negative
 What charge does each group
1+ usually have? Put the number in the
boxes above each group.
2+ 3+ 4+ 3- 2- 1-

Lithium, oxygen, and beryllium are drawn below. Write whether each is a
neutral atom, cation, or anion based on how many electrons each atom should
have. Look at the periodic table and remember that the number of protons is
the same as the atomic number.

Lithium Oxygen Beryllium

- -
Neutral
Neutral

-
Anion

-
Atom

-
Atom

- -
- ++ + + +
+ -
+ +
- + + + + +
+ +
-
- - - -
-
-

-
Cation

-
Cation

-
Neutral

- -
++ +
Atom

+ - + +
+ + + + +
+ +
+ + -
-
-
- -
-
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Instagram: CoScine Creative TpT: CoScine
Gmail: CoScineCreative@gmail.com
Website/Blog: Coscinecreative.weebly.com

Permission is granted to copy pages specifically for student or teacher use

only by the original purchaser or licensee. The reproduction of this product
for any other use is strictly prohibited. Copying any part of this product and
placing it on the Internet (even a personal/classroom website) is strictly
prohibited. Doing so makes it possible for an Internet search to make the
document available on the Internet, free of charge, and is a violation of the
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).