Question

Define metals and non-metals based on electron loss or gain.

Answer 1

• Metals are electropositive in nature because they have the tendency to lose electrons easily and form positively charged ions.

For example, magnesium is a metal forms positive ions (cation) by loss of two electrons.

$\mathrm{Mg}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)-2{\mathrm{e}}^{-}\to {\mathrm{Mg}}^{2+}\left(\mathrm{cation}\right)$

• Non-metals are electronegative in nature because they have the tendency to gain electrons and form negatively charged ions.

For example, chlorine is a non-metal form of negative ions (anion) by the gain of one electron.

$\mathrm{Cl}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+{\mathrm{e}}^{-}\to {\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}\left(\mathrm{anion}\right)$