What type of element typically loses electrons during chemical reactions?

Metals are the type of elements that typically lose electrons during chemical reactions. This behavior is primarily due to their atomic structure, which features few electrons in their outermost shell, known as the valence shell. Metals generally have one to three electrons in this outer shell, making it easier for them to lose these electrons in order to achieve a more stable electron configuration, such as that of a noble gas.

When metals lose electrons, they form positively charged ions, or cations. This tendency to lose electrons and form cations is a defining characteristic of metals, which contributes to their physical properties, such as conductivity, malleability, and ductility, as well as their role in forming ionic compounds with nonmetals that gain these electrons.

In contrast, nonmetals typically gain electrons to fill their valence shells, noble gases are generally inert and do not participate in chemical reactions under normal conditions, and metalloids display properties that can be intermediate but do not predominantly lose electrons like metals do.