Flexi Says: Cations are formed by the loss of one or more electrons from a neutral atom. The charge on a cation is equal to the number of electrons lost. Group 1 elements tend to lose 1 electron in reactions, resulting in cations with a change of 1+. Group 2 elements tend to lose 2 electrons, resulting in cations with a change of 2+. Cations can also be formed from electron loss to many of the transition elements.
