1. explain why anions are larger than their respective atoms and cations are smaller than their respective atoms .

Anions are formed by the acceptance of electrons in order to fill the valence orbital resulting in a negative charge, this unbalanced charge causes repulsion in the outer most electrons causing the anions size to be larger than the parent atom, whereas cations form by donating electrons gaining a net positive charge which has a greater attraction for the remaining electrons with the nucleus resulting in a decreased size as compared to the parent.