The tendency of a metal atom to lose its valence electrons and form a cation is called its:

1. Metals have few valence electrons (1 to 3) and low effective nuclear charge. 2. They readily lose those electrons to form cations. 3. This electron-losing tendency is named electropositivity, the metallic character. 4. Rule out B: electronegativity is the opposite, electron-gaining tendency. _Source: Balbharati (Maharashtra Board) Class 10 Science & Technology, Ch 2 "Periodic Classification of Elements", p.35_