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An atom can become negatively charged when it gains electrons. It is then called an ion, more specifically, an anion. It has a net negative charge then because the negativity from the electrons is larger in magnitude than the positive charge from the protons in the nucleus. Some atoms can more easily gain electrons than others, and this is related to the electron affinity of the atom, which depends on which element it is. It takes energy to add electrons to neutral atoms, but by doing so, it can more easily form bonds which releases energy. This brings it to a more stable state.

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