When they lose electrons, they become positive and cations are positively charged ions. Nonmetals form anions bc they are closer to a full valence shell and they want to gain electrons. gain electrons-> become negative which makes them a negatively charged ion (a anion). A molecule is two or more atoms bonded together.
Why are positive and negative ions formed?
Remember that ions are formed only when electrons move from one atom to another; a proton never moves from one atom to another. Compounds formed from positive and negative ions are called ionic compounds. Individual atoms can gain or lose electrons. When they do, they become monatomic ions.
