In ionic bonds, metals tend to ______.

In ionic bonds, metals tend to lose electrons.

Here's the step by step explanation:

1. Ionic bonding is the complete transfer of valence electron(s) between atoms. It is a type of chemical bond that generates two oppositely charged ions.

2. Metals are known as electron donors, which means they have a tendency to lose their electrons.

3. When a metal atom loses an electron, it becomes a positively charged ion, also known as a cation.

4. This is because the number of protons in the metal atom (which are positively charged) now exceeds the number of electrons (which are negatively charged).

5. The lost electron will be gained by a non-metal atom, making it a negatively charged ion, also known as an anion.

6. The positive and negative ions are attracted to each other, forming an ionic bond.

So, in ionic bonds, metals tend to lose electrons.