Covalent Bonds

[Amina Durrani 3G]

Why don't non metals form cations?

[Johnathan Smith 1D]

The non metals don’t normally form cations because they are usually the ones who receive electrons from the metals they are bonding with.

[Brandon Valafar]

Non-metals are normally receiving or taking electrons from those atoms they are sharing with.

[805307623]

Nonmetals have 5, 6, or 7 electrons in their valence shells, so it takes less energy for them to form anions by just gaining the necessary electrons.

[Rhea Shah 2F]

Cations form when an atom loses at least one electron, which results in a positive charge. These occur in metals, which typically have between 1-3 valence electrons. These elements lose electrons to become more stable, as they reach a lower valence shell with 8 valence electrons. Nonmetals don't lose electrons to become cations because they typically have between 5-7 valence electrons before bonding, and thus need to gain electrons to form a completely filled valence shell with 8 electrons.

[preyasikumar_2L]

Nonmetals do not form cations because they are more electronegative than metals and attract electrons more strongly/readily, since they want to gain electrons to fill their octet. Metals also hold their valence electrons more loosely (which is why they're better conductors of electricity), so it is easier for metals to form cations.