Metals are typically cations, not anions.
In chemical reactions, metals tend to lose electrons to form cations. Cations are positively charged ions because they have lost one or more electrons from their outermost energy levels. This electron loss results in a net positive charge, as the number of protons in the nucleus remains the same while the number of electrons decreases.
For example, sodium (Na) is a metal that readily loses one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration. The resulting sodium ion (Na+) has a positive charge, indicating that it is a cation.
However, there are exceptions where metals can form anions. This occurs in certain complex compounds or under specific conditions where a metal can gain electrons. But in general, metals are known for their tendency to form cations through electron loss.