Elements that form Cations

[IsabelMurillo3K]

I was wondering if anyone could explain why the elements on the left side of the periodic table are more likely to form cations? Does it have to do with the amount of valence electrons that an element has? Thanks in advance!

[Neel Sharma 3F]

The elements on the left-hand side of the table have either one or two electrons in their ns orbital. Elements want to be in their lowest energy state as it is the most stable. These left-hand side elements are one or two electrons from reaching their lowest energy state which is being isoelectronic with the noble gases (the most stable, unreactive elements on the table). For this reason and low ionization energy and low effective nuclear charge, these elements are often found in nature as cations. Hope this helps!

[Astha Patel 2J]

Electrons on the left side of the periodic table are more likely to form cations because of their low ionization energies and low electron affinities. They are more likely to lose their outermost electron as it isn't held as tightly by nuclear charge.

[Taha 2D]

So metals(elements on the left side) are more likely to form cations ( positively charged ions) because of their number of valence electrons. The left hand side normally goes up till group 3 meaning they have upto 3 valence electrons. So all atoms are looking to form full valence shells. For metals its easier(energy wise) to lose up till three electrons and fall to a lower shell which is full, rather than gain 5 or more electrons to make the current valence shell full(in the case the specific shell needs 8 to be full).

[Brian Nguyen 2I]

The elements on the left side of the periodic table are more likely to form cations due to the fact they have a small number of valence electrons. The smaller the number, the more likely you are to lose an electron instead of gain one.

[Eliana Witham 2H]

An easy way to think about this is to ask yourself what the easiest way to get to a full valence shell is. Would it be more simple to lose or gain electrons? For example, for +1 cations, it is much easier to lose one electron than to gain seven electrons.

[Brandon McClelland3L]

Yes it does! Atoms like to have full outer shells, and for the metals on the left side, it is easier for them to lose a couple of electrons than gain a bunch.