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.