The +1 in the superscript indicates that each particle carries a charge of .
Explanation:
Both electrons and protons carry electrical charge. However, the charge on electrons is negative, while the charge on protons is positive. Like all other atoms, a lithium atom contains an equal number of electrons and proton. The charge on protons and electrons balance each other. As a result, lithium atoms are neutral (hence no superscript.)
However, when a lithium atom loses an electron, it will contain more protons than electrons. There won't be enough negative charge to balance the positive charge. This particle will become an ion with a positive charge (a cation.) The number 1 in the superscript +1 indicates the size of this charge.
Answer:The heat that fuels the hot spot comes from very deep in the planet. This heat causes the mantle in that region to melt. The molten magma rises up and breaks through the crust to form a volcano. While the hot spot stays in one place, rooted to its deep source of heat, the tectonic plate is slowly moving above it.