Question

16. Metals tend to do what with electrons? What do nonmetals do?

Answer 1

Metals tend to lose electrons to become cations, while nonmetals tend to gain electrons to become anions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Metals tend to lose electrons to become cations, while nonmetals tend to gain electrons to become anions. This is because metals have few valence electrons and can increase their stability by losing electrons, whereas nonmetals have more valence electrons and increase their stability by gaining electrons.

For example, sodium is a metal that has one valence electron. It tends to lose this electron to become a positively charged ion (Na+). On the other hand, chlorine is a nonmetal that has seven valence electrons. It tends to gain one electron to achieve a stable configuration and become a negatively charged ion (Cl-).

These tendencies of metals and nonmetals to lose or gain electrons are related to the concept of electronegativity. Metals generally have low electronegativities, while nonmetals have high electronegativities.

Answer 2

Metals tend to lose electrons easily, while non-metals tend to gain electrons easily. This is why ionic bonds are formed by one metal and one nonmetal.