What happens to an atom that loses an electron?

When an atom loses an electron, it results in the atom having more protons than electrons. Since the protons have a positive charge and the electrons have a negative charge, losing an electron means that the overall charge of the atom becomes positive. This transformation leads to the formation of a positively charged ion, often referred to as a cation.

The process can be understood in terms of electrical charge balance: a neutral atom has equal numbers of protons and electrons. Upon the loss of an electron, this balance is disrupted in favor of the positive charge, thus causing the atom to become positively charged. This concept is fundamental in understanding ionic bonding and the behavior of atoms in chemical reactions.