Anions

Anions are negatively charged ions that form when an atom or molecule gains one or more extra electrons. This extra negative charge contrasts with cations, which are positively charged ions that lose electrons. Anions play essential roles in various chemical reactions and are crucial in daily life, such as in salts like sodium chloride (table salt), where chloride is the anion. Anions can affect properties like solubility and reactivity in compounds, making them important in chemistry, biology, and environmental science.