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Good question. They can actually do both. The metals and non-metals in the LEFT of the table is -1, -2. -3. -4.. From -4, they can either be -4, or +4. On the RIGHT it goes form +4+3+2+1

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Why do non-metals tend to gain electrons instead of losing them?

Non-metals tend to gain electrons instead of losing them because they have higher electronegativity, which means they have a stronger attraction for electrons. This allows them to easily gain electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration.


Which families on the periodic table give and gain electrons?

The families on the periodic table that tend to give electrons are the metals, such as alkali metals in group 1 and alkaline earth metals in group 2. The families that tend to gain electrons are the nonmetals, such as halogens in group 17 and noble gases in group 18.


Why do metals tend to lose electrons to form positive?

Metals tend to lose electrons to form positive ions because, for metals to gain a full outer shell, they need to lose electrons.


Atoms of metals do what with electrons to become stable while atoms nonmetals tend to do what to electrons to become stable?

Choices: a) eject, retain B) lose, gain c) retain,gain d) gain, lose e) lose, retain


Are metals always gaining electrons when they react?

nonmetals tend to gain electrons when they react


Do alkali metals tend to gain or lose electrons?

Alkali metals tend to lose electrons in chemical reactions.


The atoms of which elements tend to gain electrons?

Non-ionized (stable) nonmetals, or metal ions.


Which group of elements tend to give up electrons and become positive?

Group 1 elements, also known as alkali metals, tend to give up electrons and become positive ions due to their low ionization energy and affinity to lose an electron to achieve a stable electron configuration.


What happens to atoms of most nonmetals when they react with other elements?

They tend to gain electrons when reacting with a metal. Metals generally are short of a full octet by 1 to 4 valence electrons. It is easier to drop 2 electrons than try to gain 6 electrons. The elements in group four can go either way, but the other metals will give up electrons, and non-metals will take them.


What tend to lose electrons in order to become stable?

In chemistry, metals are the elements that tend to lose electrons when they react to form compounds; Non-metals tend to gain electrons when they form compounds. When metals and non-metals react and exchange electrons with one another they form an ionic bond.


When non metals and metals react which atoms create electrons?

When nonmetals and metals react, it is typically the metal atoms that lose electrons. Metals tend to have low electronegativities, allowing them to easily give up electrons and form positive ions (cations). In contrast, nonmetals have higher electronegativities and tend to gain electrons, forming negative ions (anions). This transfer of electrons from metals to nonmetals is a key characteristic of ionic bonding.


Explain why metals react with non-metals.?

Metals react with non-metals to achieve a stable electron configuration. Metals tend to lose electrons to achieve a full outer shell, while non-metals tend to gain electrons to fill their outer shell. This transfer of electrons between metals and non-metals results in the formation of ionic compounds.