What is a cation and where can you find it on the periodic table? What is an anion and where can you find it on the periodic table?

A cation is an ion with fewer electrons than protons. Therefore, it has a positive charge. The electric charge on a proton is equal in amount to the charge on an electron. Anions are atoms or radicals (groups of atoms), that have gained electrons. Since they now have more electrons than protons, anions have a negative charge. Halogens always form anions, alkali metals and alkaline earth metals always form cations. Most other metals form cations (e.g. iron, silver, nickel), whilst most other nonmetals typically form anions (e.g. oxygen, carbon, sulfur).

Explanation:

An anion and cation cannot be specifically found on the periodic table.    

  the   balanced   equation   for   reaction of   ca metal   with   o2 to   produce   cao   is as below

2 ca+ o2→ 2 cao2

  explanation

the reaction is   balanced     since the   number of atoms   in reactant side is   equal to   number of atoms   in   product side.   for   example   they   are 2   atom of   ca in   reactant   side   and   2   atoms of ca   in   the product side.

  the   process   is a   meet the   requirement   of   redox   reaction because :     calcium   is   oxidized   from   oxidation state 0   to 2+   while   oxygen   is reduced from   oxidation   state   0   to 2-