Final answer:
When a metal donates or loses an electron, it becomes a cation, which is a positively charged particle.
When a metal donates or loses an electron, it becomes a cation, a positively charged ion.
Step-by-step explanation:
A metal that donates or loses an electron becomes a cation. A cation is a positively charged particle formed when a neutral atom loses one or more electrons.
When a metal donates or loses an electron, it becomes a cation, a positively charged ion. This is an integral part of forming ionic bonds and contributes to the stability of ionic compounds.
If a metal donates or loses an electron, it becomes a cation. When a neutral atom loses electrons from its valence shell, it obtains a positive charge as it now has more protons than electrons. An example of this would be sodium losing one electron to become Na+ or calcium losing two electrons to become Ca2+. This process of ion formation is fundamental to the creation of ionic bonds, which form when a metal donates its valence electrons to a nonmetal, often leading to more stable and less reactive ionic compounds.