What is the difference between elements that tend to form anions or form cations?

Answer 1

In general, metals form cations (positive ions) and non-metals form anions (negative ions.) This is because metals have fewer valence electrons, and lose them when they bond, and non-metals have more, and gain them when they bond.

Answer 2

Anions= start with less than 4 valence electrons (when they ahve a charge of 0)

Cations= start with more than 4 valence electrons (when they ahve a charge of 0)

The ideal number of valence electrons is 8 or "0"

And atoms borrow or give up electrons to make it so.

Answer 3

Elements at the left hand side of the Periodic Table and transition elements tend to form cations. Elements on the right hand side of the table with the exception of noble gases tend to form anions.

Stated another way, metals tend to form cations and nonmetals tend to form anions.

Answer 4

Metal tend to lose electrons and become positive ions called cations.