Final answer:
Metals are the type of elements that usually become cations by losing valence electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration similar to the preceding noble gas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of elements that usually become cations are metals. Metals, situated on the left side and towards the bottom of the periodic table, tend to lose their valence electrons to achieve a stable electronic configuration, similar to the preceding noble gas in the periodic table.
By losing electrons, metals form positively charged ions known as cations. This is in contrast to non-metals, which are typically found on the right side of the periodic table and tend to gain electrons to form anions. As such, the correct answer to the question is A) Metals.