A certain atom has 22 protons and 19 electrons. This atom loses an electron. The net charge on the atom is now?

It is known for a neutral atom number of protons equal the number of electrons. But since, it is given that there are 19 electrons so it means that the atom already has + 3 charge.

Also, number of protons of an atom represent its atomic number. And when an atom loses an electron then it acquires a positive charge. When an atom gains an electron then it acquires a negative charge.

Here, because the atom loses an electron therefore, the net charge on the atom is now + 4.

Answer: The net charge on the atom is of + 4 units.

Explanation:

Atomic number is defined as the number of protons or number of electrons that are present in a neutral atom. It is represented as Z.

Z = Atomic number = Number of protons = Number of electrons

An ion is formed when an atom looses or gains electrons. When an atom looses electrons, it leads to the formation of a positively charged ion known as cation and when an atom gains electrons, it leads to the formation of negatively charged ion known as anion.

We are given:

An atom containing 22 protons and also 19 electrons.

This means that the given atom has lost 3 electrons and carries a positive charge of + 3 units.

When this atom again looses 1 electron, it will lead to the formation of positive ion having + 4 units.

Hence, the net charge on the atom is of + 4 units.