What happens when ionic bonds are formed? Metal atoms lose electrons, and nonmetal atoms gain electrons. Metal and nonmetal atoms both lose electrons. Metal atoms gain electrons, and nonmetal atoms lose electrons. Metal and nonmetal atoms both gain electrons.

Ionic bonds happen between metals and nonmetals.

Metals hang around on the left and middle of the periodic table. Nonmetals hang around on the right side of the periodic table.

Metals have a relatively low valency while nonmetals have a relatively high valency. This means that metals are more willing to give up their valence electrons while nonmetals tend to take other elements' valence electrons.

When you put a metal atom and nonmetal atom together, the metal atom will lose valence electrons to the nonmetal atom.