An atom will become a positive ion when?

An atom becomes a positive ion when it loses electrons because the loss of negatively charged electrons leads to an overall positive charge. In terms of atomic structure, atoms are neutral when they contain an equal number of protons (positively charged) and electrons (negatively charged). When an atom loses one or more electrons, it has more protons than electrons, resulting in a net positive charge.

This process is fundamental in chemistry and plays a crucial role in various phenomena, including electrical conductivity and chemical bonding. For example, in ionic bonding, metals tend to lose electrons and form positive ions, while nonmetals gain electrons, forming negative ions. Understanding this concept is vital for grasping the principles of electrochemistry and corrosion, particularly in marine environments where metal ions can contribute to corrosion processes.

The other options do not correctly describe the process by which an atom becomes a positive ion, highlighting the importance of knowing how ions form in different contexts.