A neutral atom becomes a positive ion when it loses one or more

A neutral atom becomes a positive ion when it loses one or more

• A. Electron
• B. Proton
• C. Neutron
• D. Nucleus

Answer: (A)

Losing electrons changes the balance of charge inside an atom. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons (negative charges) equals the number of protons (positive charges), so the total charge is zero. If one or more electrons are removed, there are now more positives than negatives, giving a net positive charge. That positively charged particle is a positive ion. Protons are part of the nucleus and define what element it is, so removing them would change the element itself, not just its charge. Neutrons don’t affect charge, and removing the nucleus describes a nuclear process, not ordinary chemical ionization. So, the formation of a positive ion comes from losing electrons.

Losing electrons changes the balance of charge inside an atom. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons (negative charges) equals the number of protons (positive charges), so the total charge is zero. If one or more electrons are removed, there are now more positives than negatives, giving a net positive charge. That positively charged particle is a positive ion. Protons are part of the nucleus and define what element it is, so removing them would change the element itself, not just its charge. Neutrons don’t affect charge, and removing the nucleus describes a nuclear process, not ordinary chemical ionization. So, the formation of a positive ion comes from losing electrons.