Nonmetals typically form anions. This is because nonmetals have a higher electronegativity, meaning they have a greater tendency to gain electrons rather than lose them. When a nonmetal gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged, forming an anion.
For example, chlorine (Cl) is a nonmetal. When it gains one electron, it forms a chloride ion (Cl⁻), which is an anion. Similarly, oxygen (O) gains two electrons to form an oxide ion (O²⁻), another anion.
In contrast, metals tend to lose electrons and form cations, which are positively charged ions. This difference in behavior is due to the varying electronegativity and electron affinity between metals and nonmetals.