n ionic bonds, metals tend to

In ionic bonds, metals tend to lose electrons and become positively charged ions, also known as cations. This happens because metals have a relatively low electronegativity, and they can achieve a stable electron configuration more easily by losing electrons rather than gaining them. The lost electrons are typically gained by nonmetals, which become negatively charged ions, or anions. The resulting positive and negative ions are attracted to each other, forming an ionic bond.