Question

If an atom has 8 protons, 8 neutrons, and 8 electrons and then loses an electron, what is it? What is its charge?

Answer 1

m= no of neutron+ number of proton

    =8+8

    =16

charge= number of electron- number of proton

           =8-8

          =0

hence, element is oxygen

Answer 2

Answer: The cation formed is $O^+$ ion

Explanation:

An ion is formed when a neutral atom looses or gains electrons.

• When an atom looses electrons, it results in the formation of positive ion known as cation.
• When an atom gains electrons, it results in the formation of negative ion known as anion.

Atomic number is defined as the number of protons or electrons that are present in a neutral atom.

Atomic number = number of protons = number of electrons

Mass number is defined as the sum of number of protons and neutrons that are present in an atom.

Mass number = Number of protons + Number of neutrons

We are given:

Number of protons = 8

Number of neutrons = 8

Number of electrons = 8

If the atom looses 1 electron, it will form a cation having +1 charge

The element having atomic number as '8' is oxygen

Hence, the cation formed is $O^+$ ion