Do metals tend to gain or lose electrons?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether metals typically gain or lose electrons, which relates to their behavior in chemical reactions and bonding, particularly in the context of ionic and covalent bonding.
Answer
Metals lose electrons.
Metals tend to lose electrons.
Answer for screen readers
Metals tend to lose electrons.
More Information
Metals lose electrons to form positive ions, or cations, and achieve a stable electron configuration similar to that of noble gases. This is because metals have few valence electrons and it's energetically favorable for them to lose electrons.
Tips
Common mistakes include thinking that metals gain electrons because they are misunderstood to readily interact with other elements. Understanding the periodic table positioning helps clarify this.
Sources
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