Lose
Compounds will gain or lose electrons in order to reach a more stable state, ideally a full valence shell.
Sodium will lose 1 electron in its compounds.
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.
Metals more readily lose electrons to form positive ions. This is because metals have a few valence electrons and a low ionization energy, making it easier for them to lose electrons and achieve a stable electron configuration.
Oxygen has six valence electrons, which means that it needs to gain two to become stable. it takes much more energy for oxygen to lose its 6 valence electrons than it would be to gain 2. When atoms form compounds, they become stable.
Metals tend to lose electrons because of their low ionization energy, allowing them to easily form positive ions. This process forms cations, which are attracted to surrounding negative ions or electrons in compounds. This ability of metals to lose electrons contributes to their metallic bonding and characteristic properties such as conductivity and malleability.
Polonium will neither gain nor lose electron. it will prefer to form covalent compounds by sharing of electrons.
The element helium (He) is an inert or noble gas. It, like the other inert gases, is not interested in any kind of electron borrowing, loaning or sharing arrangements. It will tend not to gain or lose electrons.
In forming compounds, atoms are engaged in either gaining or losing electrons. They may also share electrons, but that is also a form of gaining or losing electrons.
gain 4 electrons:- Because the energy released (electron affinity) for the addition of four electrons is too high, Lose 4 electrons:- energy required to lose electrons (the sum of the first 4 ionization energies) is too high
Tetravalent means having 4 valence electrons. The elements in the 14th group are tetravalent. They do not lose or gain electrons. they gain electrons.
Carbon can both gain and lose electrons. We "see" it every day in the form of compounds or in pure substance.