Answer
Atoms of nonmetallic elements tend to gain electrons. Atoms of metallic elements tend to lose electrons.
Work Step by Step
Atoms of nonmetallic elements attain noble-gas electron configurations more easily by gaining electrons than by losing them because these atoms valence shells are already nearly full Atoms of metallic elements tend to lose electrons to attain noble-gas electron configurations more easily because their valence shells are mostly empty, mostly consisting of either 1, 2 , or 3 electrons.
