What is the main reason that atoms lose or gain electrons to become ions?

Atoms that lose electrons acquire a positive charge as a result because they are left with fewer negatively charged electrons to balance the positive charges of the protons in the nucleus. Positively charged ions are called cations. Most metals become cations when they make ionic compounds.

"hydrogen bonding is the attraction of h atoms in the water molecule (slight + charge) to o atoms in a neighboring water molecule (slight - charge); it is a weak interatomic force. but it is still strong enough to the water molecules "stick" together."