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Well, an atom that loses an electron does not just "lose" it in space, the electron is taken away by another atom or molecule. So the electron sticks to the new molecule and forms an ion with a charge (given that the original atom was a neutral one). When this happens inside the body some really dangerous compounds can be formed, these are called "free radicals"

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Q: What happens when an atom loses and electrons?
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What happens when an atom loses one or more electrons and retains the same number of protons?

This atom become a positive ion (cation).


What happens when an atom looses electron?

If the atom loses electrons, the atom becomes positively charged because the number of positively charged protons.


When the number of electrons in an atom changes what is the new atom called?

When an atom loses or gains electrons, it becomes an ion.


What is an atom that gains and loses an electron and has an electric charge?

When an atom gains electrons, negatively charged anions are formed. When an atom loses electrons, positively charged cations are formed.


A strontium atom differs from a stontiun ion in that the atom has a greater what?

electrons. Ions exist when an atom gains or loses electrons

Related questions

What happens to the charge of an atom that loses electrons?

it gets positive charge


What happens when it loses electrons?

all elements want to have a full valence shell and when an atom loses electrons it is said to become a cation.


What happens when cations form?

an atom loses electrons and becomes positivly charged


What happens to sulfur atom when it becomes a sulphide ion?

It gains or loses electrons.


What happens if atom loses electron?

When an atom loses electrons it becomes ionized and more positive a charge. Losing an electron can cause this atom to react with other atoms.


What happens when an atom loose an atom?

If the atom loses electrons, the atom becomes positively charged because the number of positively charged protons.


What do you think happens to the size of the electron when it loses and electron?

The ATOM decreases in size when it loses an electron and increases when electrons are added.


What happens to the mass of an atom when it loses two electrons?

The mass become lower but the difference is not significant.


What happens If a neutral atom loses electrons?

It becomes a positively charged ion known as a cation.


What happens when an atom loses one or more electrons and retains the same number of protons?

This atom become a positive ion (cation).


What is the name of an atom that loses one or more electrons?

An atom that loses one or more electrons is an ion, specifically a cation.


When are ions formed?

Ions are formed when an atom gains or loses electrons. When an atom loses electrons the Ion that is formed has a positive charge.