What type of charge do metals typically have?

Metals typically have a positive charge because they tend to lose one or more of their outer electrons during chemical reactions. This loss results in the formation of cations, which are positively charged ions.

Metals generally have fewer electrons in their outer shell compared to nonmetals, making it energetically favorable for them to lose electrons rather than gain them. For example, sodium, a metal, can lose one electron to form Na⁺, while magnesium can lose two electrons to form Mg²⁺. As a result, when metals participate in bonding or reactions, they usually exhibit a positive charge due to this tendency to ionize and form cations.

Other options, like neutral and negative, do not accurately represent the typical charge behavior of metals. Although some metals can show variable charges depending on the specific compound they form, the fundamental behavior of metals in most cases results in a positive charge.