What happens to an atom of sulfur (S) if it loses an electron?

A. It becomes inert.

B. It becomes a cation.

C. It becomes an anion.

D. It becomes a molecule

Answer: The correct answer is Option B.

Explanation:

An atom contains 3 subatomic particles: protons, electrons and neutrons.

Protons carry positive charge, electrons carry negative charge and neutrons does not carry any charge.

An atom has equal number of protons and electrons.

If an atom gains electrons, it will have more number of electrons than protons. Thus, it will carry negative charge and form an anion.

If an atom looses electrons, it will have less number of electrons than protons. Thus, it will carry positive charge and forms a cation.

It is given that sulfur looses an electron. Thus, this atom has more number of protons than electrons. So, it will form a cation.

Hence, the correct answer is Option B.

B. It becomes a cation

Explanation:

An ion is defined as an electrified atom that has gained or lost electrons. Cations and anions are considered ions.

Cations are positively charged as they lose one or more electrons, resulting in a greater number of protons than the number of electrons.

Anions, in turn, are negatively charged because they receive one or more electrons, resulting in more electrons than protons.

In the case presented in this question, the sulfur atom (S) loses an electron, making its charge positive because it has a greater number of protons than electrons, and this atom has become a cation (S⁺).