Question

What types of ions do the metals and the nonmetallic elements form? Do the metals lose or gain electrons in doing this? Do the nonmetallic elements gain or lose electrons in doing this?

Short answer

Metals form positive ions called cations by losing electrons, whereas non-metallic elements form negative ions called anions by gaining electrons. This occurs because metals have few valence electrons, making it easier to lose them, while non-metallic elements have more valence electrons, making it easier to gain them. Both achieve a stable electron configuration by doing so.

Step-by-step solution

Identify ions formed by metals

Metals have a tendency to lose electrons to form positive ions, called cations. These cations have a positive charge because they have more protons than electrons.

Identify ions formed by non-metallic elements

Non-metallic elements tend to gain electrons to form negatively charged ions, called anions. These anions have a negative charge because they have more electrons than protons.

Describe the electron behavior of metals

Metals lose electrons while forming ions. This is because metals have few valence electrons and it's energetically convenient for them to lose these electrons to achieve a stable configuration, typically resembling the electron configuration of the nearest noble gas.

Describe the electron behavior of non-metallic elements

Non-metallic elements gain electrons while forming ions. This is because non-metallic elements have a higher number of valence electrons, and it's easier for them to gain the remaining electrons to achieve a stable configuration, which also resembles the electron configuration of the nearest noble gas. In summary, metals form positively charged ions called cations by losing electrons, while non-metallic elements form negatively charged ions called anions by gaining electrons.