Question

Question #6b48e

Answer 1

`1+`

Explanation:

When a neutral atom loses electrons, it becomes a positively charged ion, or cation, because the overall charge of an atom is given by

`color(blue)(ul(color(black)("net charge" = "no. of protons" - "no. of electrons")))`

As long as an atom has equal numbers of protons inside its nucleus and electrons surrounding its nucleus, it will be electrically neutral, .e. it will have a `0` net charge.

Now, when an atom loses an electron, the number of electrons that surround the nucleus will decrease by `1`. This means that the atom will develop an overall `1+` charge.

For example, let's say that a neutral atom starts with `n` protons inside its nucleus and `n` electrons surrounding its nucleus. This atom is neutral because

`"net charge" = n - n = 0`

When this atom loses an electron, the number of electrons will go from `n` to `n-1`.

This time, the net charge will no longer be equal to `0` because

`"net charge" = n - (n-1)`

`"net charge" = color(red)(cancel(color(black)(n))) - color(red)(cancel(color(black)(n))) + 1`

`"net charge" = 1`

At this point, the atom becomes a cation that has an overall charge of `1+`.

For a numerical example, take an atom of sodium, `"Na"`. This atom has `11` protons inside its nucleus and `11` electrons surrounding the nucleus. After it loses `1` electron, it becomes a sodium cation, `"Na"^(+)`, which has an overall positive charge of `1+`.