If a neutral atom loses 2 electrons, what will happen to the atom’s electrical charge?.
A. it will become positive.
B. it will become negative.
C. it will remain neutral
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is A. it will become positive.
When a neutral atom loses electrons, it undergoes a change in its electrical charge. A neutral atom has an equal number of protons (which carry a positive charge) and electrons (which carry a negative charge). For example, if we take a neutral atom with 10 protons and 10 electrons, the overall charge is zero because the positive charges from the protons balance out the negative charges from the electrons.
When this neutral atom loses two electrons, it now has only 8 electrons while still having 10 protons. This imbalance creates a net positive charge. Specifically, the atom now has a total of 10 positive charges (from the protons) and only 8 negative charges (from the electrons), leading to an overall charge of +2.
In the context of chemical behavior, losing electrons is a common process that occurs when an atom interacts with other atoms, particularly during chemical reactions. Atoms that lose electrons tend to form positively charged ions, known as cations. For instance, when a sodium atom (Na), which has one electron in its outer shell, loses that electron, it becomes a sodium ion (Na⁺), a positively charged ion. Similarly, if a magnesium atom (Mg) loses two electrons, it becomes a magnesium ion (Mg²⁺).
The tendency of atoms to lose or gain electrons is a fundamental principle in chemistry, driving the formation of ionic bonds, where positively charged cations are attracted to negatively charged anions. This charge imbalance significantly affects the atom’s reactivity, bonding behavior, and overall role in chemical processes. Therefore, the loss of electrons results in a positively charged ion, confirming that the atom’s electrical charge becomes positive.