What happens to an atom when it loses an electron and becomes a cation?

• A. It remains electrically neutral.
• B. It becomes negatively charged.
• C. It gains a neutron.
• D. It becomes positively charged.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that an atom is composed of protons (positively charged), neutrons (neutral), and electrons (negatively charged).
2. Recognize that the overall charge of an atom is determined by the balance between the number of protons and electrons.
3. When an atom loses an electron, it loses a negative charge, but the number of protons remains the same.
4. Since there are now more protons than electrons, the atom has a net positive charge.
5. Therefore, the atom becomes a positively charged ion, which is called a cation.