Question

When metals form ions, they tend to do so by 1. losing electrons and forming positive ions 2. losing electrons and forming negative ions 3. gaining electrons and forming positive ions 4. gaining electrons and forming negative ions?

Answer 1

They lose electrons forming positive ions

Answer 2

1. losing electrons and forming positive ions

Step-by-step explanation:

Metals form ions by losing electrons. They do it because they have few electrons in their outermost shells. So rather than accept more electrons, it is much more feasible to lose the few electrons and achieve the octet configuration.

With this alone, we know that options 3 and 4 are incorrect.

When metals lose electrons, the type of ion formed is a positive ion because the total number of protons (positive) would be more than the total number of electrons (negative) present.

For example in Ca²⁺;

Calcium loses 2 electrons. The charge however shows +2. This is because there are 20 protons and 18 electrons in the ion now, so 20 -18 = +2

The correct option is option 1. losing electrons and forming positive ions.