Final answer:
Elements that most likely lose electrons to form positive ions or cations are those in groups 1 and 2, known as the alkali and alkaline earth metals. Transition metals can also lose electrons to form positively charged ions but can exhibit variable charges.
Step-by-step explanation:
The element most likely to lose electrons to form positive ions, also known as cations, when bonding with other elements is typically found in groups 1 and 2 of the periodic table. These elements, such as sodium (Na) from group 1 and magnesium (Mg) from group 2, easily lose their outer s electrons due to their low ionization energy, leading to a positive charge equal to the group number. Transition metals also frequently lose electrons to form cations but can have multiple ionic charges, such as the Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions for iron.
Furthermore, moving from the far left to the right on the periodic table, main-group elements tend to form cations with a positive charge equal to their group number. For example, the alkali metals in group 1 will typically form 1+ ions, and the alkaline earth metals in group 2 will form 2+ ions. These elements are inclined to lose electrons due to their lower electronegativity and higher atomic radii compared to nonmetals.