* Positively Charged (Cations): An atom becomes positively charged when it loses one or more electrons. Since electrons have a negative charge, losing them leaves the atom with more protons (positive charge) than electrons, resulting in a net positive charge.
* Negatively Charged (Anions): An atom becomes negatively charged when it gains one or more electrons. This adds more negative charges to the atom, making the number of electrons greater than the number of protons, resulting in a net negative charge.
Key Points:
* Protons are located in the nucleus of an atom and have a positive charge.
* Electrons orbit the nucleus and have a negative charge.
* The number of protons in an atom determines its atomic number and defines the element.
* Atoms are normally electrically neutral, meaning they have an equal number of protons and electrons.
Example:
* Sodium (Na) has 11 protons and 11 electrons. When it loses one electron, it becomes Na+ (sodium ion) with 11 protons and 10 electrons, giving it a +1 charge.
* Chlorine (Cl) has 17 protons and 17 electrons. When it gains one electron, it becomes Cl- (chloride ion) with 17 protons and 18 electrons, giving it a -1 charge.
