Anion is a negative ion like you can probably name so many examples

Anion is a negative ion like you can probably name so many examples. ##Cl^(-)## ##CO_3^(2-)## Anode however is the POSITIVE electrode used in electrolytic cells for instance, or in electrophoresis.

Why the two seem related (and the nascent confusion I used to have too) is that the ANODE attracts anions.

For the Cathode/Cation dilemma, the same applies but in reverse: cation is the positive ion, while Cathode is negative electrode.

When there's '-ode' it's concerning electrodes, and when it ends in '-ion'...you can end the sentence! ;) Another piece of advice I can offer on the matter is to remember ONLY one of the 4. Say you recall Anode is positive. Anode attracts anions ---> anions must be negative Then if anode is positive, cathode must be negative. Hence cathode in turn attracts cations.