If a neutral atom loses electrons, what type of particle is formed?

A.

a positively charged ion

B.

an isotope

C.

a negatively charged ion

D.

a new element

Let's remember what the atomic particles are - protons, neutrons, electrons. Electrons are always negatively charged, and protons always positively.

If an atom is neutral - it has no charge, meaning that the number of protons and electrons are equal, making their respective charges cancel out. If a neutral atom loses or gains electrons, it becomes an ion - a charged particle. Now, lets think: if we have, say, 6 protons and 6 electrons, and we lose an electron, are we gonna have more protons or electrons?

We will have more protons - more positively charged particles, making us a positively charged ion. So that would be your answer.

The correct answer would be:

B-A negatively charged ion.