What happens to the atom that gives up an electron in an ionic bond?

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In an ionic bond, when an atom gives up an electron, it undergoes a change in its electrical charge. Specifically, losing an electron means that the atom now has more protons than electrons. Since protons carry a positive charge, the overall charge of the atom becomes positive. As a result, the atom transforms into a positive ion, which is also referred to as a cation.

This process is fundamental to the formation of ionic bonds. When one atom loses electrons and another atom gains them, it creates a strong electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions. This is the basis of how ionic compounds are formed, illustrating the importance of understanding the behavior of atoms and their electrons during these reactions. Therefore, when an atom gives up an electron, it definitively becomes a positive ion.

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