How can an atom become electrically CHARGED?

Answer 1

An atom gains a positive charge by losing electrons.

Answer 2

Atoms have positively charged protons in the nucleus and negatively charged electrons out side of the nucleus. The electrons are distributed in orbits of increasing radii. The outer most orbital electrons are somehow with less grip by the nucleus. One or two such electrons may be removed by some means. Then there will be an imbalance in the charges, so it becomes positively charged. This is named as positive ion. Sometimes excess electrons may get attached with the neutral atom and so it becomes negatively charged ion. A good example is table salt. Salt is nothing but sodium chloride. Sodium as it has 11 electrons is ready to hand over one of its electrons and chlorine having 17 is ready to accept one electron. So a good deal takes place between sodium and chlorine. Hence sodium positive ion and chlorine negative ion are formed. Because of oppositely charged ions they get attracted to form a molecule. Hence Na-Cl molecule is formed by the ionic bond.

So we take off one or more than one electrons from a neutral atom, then the atom becomes a positive ion.

Answer 3

The atom's overall electrical charge will change if the atom gains or loses an electron. When this happens the atom becomes an ion. If an atom gains an electron it becomes a negatively charged ion referred to as an anion. If the atom loses an electron it becomes a positively charge ion, more commonly referred to as a cation.

Answer 4

An atom becomes charged when it gains or loses electrons to form an octet.

Answer 5

when they are stripped of electrons the action will be a positive charge called an ion

Answer 6

Either add or remove an electron to create an ion. You could also add or remove a proton but this would be more difficult.

Answer 7

If an electron is taken away by another atom or if it gains another electron.