The ions (whether cations or anions) formed by an element, depend upon the number of electrons that need to be lost or gained, in order to achieve a fully filled orbital. When electrons are lost, cations are formed. When electrons are gained, elements form anions.
For example, hydrogen has only 1 electron and it loses it to form a cation `H^+` . In comparison, helium has 2 electrons and fully filled electronic orbital and hence does not require any electron gain or lose. Thus, helium is a noble gas and does not form an ion. Similar to hydrogen, lithium loses one electron and becomes `Li^+` . In comparison, beryllium is form `Be^(2+)` . Boron forms `B^(3+)` , nitrogen forms `N^(3-)` , oxygen form `O^(2-)` and fluorine form `F^-` .
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