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Metal atoms form ions by losing valence electrons.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoA metal atom has an extra electron so it will lose that electron to look like the Noble Gas that comes before it on the Periodic Table. It will become a smaller metal ion, known as a cation because it is positively charged.
A nonmetal atom will do it opposite. It NEEDS and electron to look like the Noble Gas that comes AFTER it on the Periodic Table (this is known as the Octet Rule, btw). Therefore, it will GAIN an electron, to become a larger nonmetal ion known as an anion because it is negatively charged.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoAn atom becomes a cation when it loses an electron. Because it loses a particle with a negative charge, a cation has a positive charge. For instance, when sodium and chlorine react, sodium loses an electron to chlorine to become a sodium ion.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThe metal must lose from two to three electrons to form a cation.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoIt needs to have a possitive charge (cations are possitively charged), so it has to loose some valance electrons.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoA non metal must gain one or two electrons to form an anion
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Is an atom of potassium most likely to become a cation or an anion?
A potassium atom will become a cation.
An atom that has lost two electrons is called?
This atom become a cation with the electrical charge +2.
An atom that gives up electrons becomes an?
This atom become a cation (positive charge).
What happens when a atom losses a electron?
The neutral atom become an ion (cation) with the charge +1.
Which atom is the cation in ammonium chloride salt?
No single atom is the cation in ammonium chloride. The cation is polyatomic NH4+1.
Is an atom of potassium most likely to become a cation or an anion?
A potassium atom will become a cation.
An atom that has lost two electrons is called?
This atom become a cation with the electrical charge +2.
When an atom loses an electron become a?
It becomes a cation.
What kind of charge does an atom have after losing an electron?
This atom become a cation (positive).
An atom that gives up electrons becomes an?
This atom become a cation (positive charge).
When Na and Cl combine to form a compound which atom will become a cation?
Sodium will become a cation with a 1+ charge and the formula Na+.
When an atoms loses an electron it?
The atom is said to be ionized. (It can also be said to be oxidised.)
What happens when a atom losses a electron?
The neutral atom become an ion (cation) with the charge +1.
What happens when a neutral atom becomes positive?
the excess protons pull harder on the fewer neutrons
What type of atom will get a positive charge and become a cation?
metal atoms
What happen if the atom become positively charge?
It becomes an ion. Specifically a cation.
What is a positive sodium ion and sodium atom?
When the neutral atom of sodium lose an electron become the cation Na+.
