Do protons push away electrons?

The force that holds the electrons and protons together is the electromagnetic force. The same electromagnetic force that draws opposite charged electrons and protons together tries to push the protons (which all have the same charge) away from each other.

What happens to an atom when it gains or loses a proton?

Protons carry a positive electrical charge and they alone determine the charge of the nucleus. Adding or removing protons from the nucleus changes the charge of the nucleus and changes that atom’s atomic number. So, adding or removing protons from the nucleus changes what element that atom is!

Do you lose protons or electrons?

The atom then loses or gains a “negative” charge. These atoms are then called ions. Positive Ion – Occurs when an atom loses an electron (negative charge) it has more protons than electrons….

What happens when atoms gain or lose electrons?

When an atom gains/loses an electron, the atom becomes charged, and is called an ion. Gaining an electron results in a negative charge, so the atom is an anion. Losing an electron results in a positive charge, so atom ion is a cation.

When an atom loses or gains an electron what changes?

Unlike protons, electrons can move from atom to atom. If an atom has an equal number of protons and electrons, its net charge is 0. If it gains an extra electron, it becomes negatively charged and is known as an anion. If it loses an electron, it becomes positively charged and is known as a cation.

What is losing electrons called?

The loss of electrons is called oxidation. The gain of electrons is called reduction. The atom that loses electrons is oxidized, and the atom that gains electrons is reduced.