To become positively charged (form a cation), an atom must:

• A. Gain one or more protons
• B. Gain one or more electrons
• C. Lose one or more electrons
• D. Lose one or more neutrons

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the charge of an atom depends on the balance between protons (positively charged) and electrons (negatively charged).
2. Recall that protons are fixed in the nucleus and do not change during ion formation, so gaining or losing protons is not how atoms become charged.
3. Recognize that electrons can be gained or lost, which changes the overall charge of the atom.
4. Know that gaining electrons adds negative charge, making the atom negatively charged (an anion).
5. Therefore, to become positively charged (a cation), an atom must lose one or more electrons, reducing its negative charge and resulting in a net positive charge.