alleryStart learning →How does a neutral atom become a cation?
ABy losing electrons from its valence shell
BBy gaining electrons in its valence shell
CBy losing protons from its atomic nucleus
DBy gaining neutrons in its atomic nucleus
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. By losing electrons from its valence shell
1. A cation carries a positive charge, so the atom must end up with fewer electrons than protons.
2. That happens when the neutral atom loses one or more electrons from its valence shell.
3. An anion is the opposite case: a neutral atom gains electrons into its valence shell.
4. Protons and neutrons sit in the nucleus and do not move during ordinary chemical change.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 7 "Chemical Bonding and Molecular Geometry", section 7.1 Ionic Bonding_
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