Question 32

An atom with a positive charge has lost an electron.

When an atom has a positive charge, it indicates that there are more protons than electrons. This typically occurs when the atom has lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net positive charge.

A) Gained an electron.

This option is incorrect because gaining an electron would add a negative charge to the atom, resulting in a negatively charged ion, not a positively charged one.

B) Lost an electron.

This option is correct as the loss of an electron from an atom decreases the number of negatively charged particles, leading to an overall positive charge due to the dominance of protons.

C) Gained a proton.

This option is incorrect because gaining a proton would increase the number of positive charges in the atom, resulting in a higher atomic number and a different element rather than just a positive charge.

D) Lost a proton.

This option is incorrect as well because losing a proton would decrease the positive charge of the atom, potentially turning it into a different element, rather than resulting in a positive charge.

Conclusion

The correct answer is B) Lost an electron, as this accurately describes the process that leads to an atom acquiring a positive charge. All other options misrepresent the relationship between protons and electrons, failing to explain how a positive charge arises in an atom.