Question

Atoms of metals tend to1) lose electrons and form negative ions2) lose electrons and form positive ions3) gain electrons and form negative ions4) gain electrons and form positive ions

Answer 1

2) lose electrons and form positive ions

Step-by-step explanation:

Metals are generally electropositive elements due to the fact that they lose electrons to their non-metal counterparts and hence, form CATIONS or positively charged atoms. Non-metals, on the contrary, gains electrons and become negatively charged i.e form anions. These ions combine to form stable ionic compounds.

This electron-losing characteristics of metals make them have properties that includes: good conductors of electricity and heat, being lustrous etc.