Question

An element that loses electrons?

Answer 1

An element loses electrons so that stability can be attained and when loss of electrons takes place an ion is formed. Sodium ( Na) is an element that loses electrons and forms a Sodium cation ( ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$).

$\mathrm{Na}\to {\mathrm{Na}}^{+}+{\mathrm{e}}^{-}$

Sodium cation

Now Sodium cation ( ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$) has a total of 10 electrons and it has 8 electrons in its outermost shell ( electronic configuration- 2,8). Therefore Sodium cation (${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$) is stable because its octet is complete ( 8 electrons in its outermost shell).