Question

Do metals tend to form positive or negative ions?

Answer 1

A metal tends to be reducing.........

Explanation:

And thus metals tend to form positive ions.

`M+Delta rarr M^(2+) + 2e^-`

At an atomic level, the valence electrons of the metal are conceived to be delocalized across the close-packed array of metal atoms (metal ions), i.e. `"positive ions in an electron sea"`. And this gives rise to the phenomenon of metallic bonding, which entails (i) malleabililty; (ii) ductility; and (iii) conductivity to heat and electricity.

See this old answer.