What happens to metals when they form an ion?

Answer: -

Cation

Explanation: -

Metals have low ionization enthalpy. So they tend to lose it's electrons to fulfill octet.

Upon losing electrons, a metal atom has more protons than neutrons.

The electrical neutrality of the atom is no longer there.

The metal atom after losing electron has a positive charge.

They are referred to as cations.

Lower the group of periodic table an element is found, more is it's tendency to form cations.

Metals generally form cations, meaning they become positively charge - this positive charge is due to the loss of electrons.