Cations and Anions
• Atoms of the metallic elements have relatively
weak attractions for their electrons, so they tend
to lose electrons and form monatomic cations
(cations composed of one atom, such as Na+).
• Atoms of the nonmetallic elements have
relatively strong attractions for electrons, so they
tend to gain electrons and form monatomic
anions (anions composed of one atom, such as
Cl-).
• Therefore, when metallic and nonmetallic atoms
combine, they usually form ions and ionic bonds.
