Nonmetals usually accept electrons to become negative ions (anions), e.g. Cl + e- --> Cl-.
Metals lose electron and non-metals gain electrons. So, non-metals are the ones that steal electrons from metals in a chemical reaction. While metals form cations, non-metals form anions.
Nonmetals gain electrons.
Atoms of non-metals usually gain or share electrons when they react with other atoms.
== == When metals react with other elements, the atoms of the metals give up their valence electrons.
Metals loss electrons and nonmetals gain electrons.
Metals are likely to make anions. So they lose electrons to get a positive charge. The other elements gain electrons and get negatively charged.
Halogens, group 17 on the periodic table, typically gain or share one electron in covalent bonds
Nonmetals gain electrons.
== == When metals react with other elements, the atoms of the metals give up their valence electrons.
== == When metals react with other elements, the atoms of the metals give up their valence electrons.
Atoms of non-metals usually gain or share electrons when they react with other atoms.
== == When metals react with other elements, the atoms of the metals give up their valence electrons.
== == When metals react with other elements, the atoms of the metals give up their valence electrons.
== == When metals react with other elements, the atoms of the metals give up their valence electrons.
Atoms of non-metals usually gain or share electrons when they react with other atoms.
They will loose electrons.
== == When metals react with other elements, the atoms of the metals give up their valence electrons.
== == When metals react with other elements, the atoms of the metals give up their valence electrons.
Atoms of non-metals generally react with atoms of metals by forming ionic compounds. This is achieved when non-metals gain electrons or a metal atom loses electrons.