Final answer:
In ionic compounds, metals lose their valence electrons to form positively charged cations. Option E) metals; cations is correct as metals become cations, while nonmetals tend to gain electrons to become anions.
Step-by-step explanation:
In ionic compounds, metals lose their valence electrons to form positively charged cations. Therefore, the correct answer is E) metals; cations. The process of ionic bonding involves metals losing electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, similar to that of the nearest noble gas, forming positively charged ions. These positively charged ions are referred to as cations. On the other hand, nonmetals tend to gain electrons to also achieve a noble gas electron configuration, becoming negatively charged ions known as anions. An example of this process can be seen in sodium chloride (table salt), where sodium (a metal) loses an electron to become a Na+ cation, and chlorine (a nonmetal) gains an electron to become a Cl- anion.