1. The document discusses ion formation and chemical bonding. Elements form ions by gaining or losing valence electrons to achieve stable noble gas electron configurations. 2. Metals easily lose valence electrons to form positively charged cations, while nonmetals easily gain electrons to form negatively charged anions. 3. Sodium forms a sodium cation (Na+) by losing one valence electron to achieve the stable electron configuration of neon, leaving it with 11 protons and 10 electrons.