* Electrons and Charge: Electrons carry a negative charge. When an atom loses an electron, it loses that negative charge.
* Net Charge: Atoms normally have a neutral charge because the number of protons (positive charge) equals the number of electrons (negative charge).
* Ions: When an atom gains or loses electrons, it becomes an *ion*. Ions have a net positive or negative charge.
* Lithium's Case: Lithium has 3 protons and 3 electrons. When it loses one electron, it now has 3 protons and 2 electrons. This gives it a net positive charge of +1.
In Summary: The +1 superscript on Li⁺¹ represents the fact that lithium has lost one electron and now has a positive charge of +1.
