If an atom loses an electron, what type of charge does it have?

• A. Negative charge
• B. Neutral charge
• C. Positive charge
• D. Variable charge

Answer: (C)

When an atom loses an electron, it results in an overall positive charge. This is because electrons carry a negative charge, and electrons are responsible for balancing the positive charges of protons in the nucleus.

Therefore, if an atom has an equal number of protons (which have a positive charge) and electrons, it remains neutral. However, when one electron is lost, the number of protons exceeds the number of electrons, creating a net positive charge. This positive ion is often referred to as a cation.

Understanding the role of electrons and protons in atomic structure is fundamental in the study of chemistry and physics, especially when discussing ionic bonding, charge interactions, and the behavior of elements in various chemical reactions.