What happens when an electron is removed from a neutral atom?

When an electron is removed from a neutral atom, the atom loses one of its negatively charged particles. In a neutral atom, the number of protons, which carry a positive charge, is equal to the number of electrons. By removing an electron, there are now more protons than electrons, leading to an overall positive charge. This imbalance creates a cation, which is an ion with a positive charge. Hence, the atom acquires a positive charge as a direct result of the loss of an electron.

Understanding this concept is important in chemistry and physics, as it lays the groundwork for comprehending ionic bonding, electrical charges in materials, and many other fundamental principles related to atomic interactions.