An atom that has donated an electron becomes what type of charged particle?

An atom that has donated an electron becomes what type of charged particle?

• A. Negatively charged
• B. Positively charged
• C. Neutrally charged
• D. Chargeless

Answer: (B)

When an atom donates an electron, it loses a negatively charged particle, resulting in a net positive charge. This is because the number of protons, which have a positive charge, remains the same, while the number of electrons decreases. The overall effect of losing an electron means there are now more protons than electrons in the atom, leading to the formation of a positively charged ion, also known as a cation. Furthermore, the other options do not accurately represent the chemistry involved. An atom cannot become negatively charged by donating an electron, nor can it remain neutral since it has lost a negatively charged particle. The term "chargeless" is not applicable in this context, as all matter carries some form of charge, whether positive, negative, or neutral. Thus, the correct characterization of an atom that has donated an electron is that it becomes positively charged.

When an atom donates an electron, it loses a negatively charged particle, resulting in a net positive charge. This is because the number of protons, which have a positive charge, remains the same, while the number of electrons decreases. The overall effect of losing an electron means there are now more protons than electrons in the atom, leading to the formation of a positively charged ion, also known as a cation.

Furthermore, the other options do not accurately represent the chemistry involved. An atom cannot become negatively charged by donating an electron, nor can it remain neutral since it has lost a negatively charged particle. The term "chargeless" is not applicable in this context, as all matter carries some form of charge, whether positive, negative, or neutral. Thus, the correct characterization of an atom that has donated an electron is that it becomes positively charged.