content: Atoms consist of three main subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons are positively charged, neutrons are neutral, and electrons are negatively charged. The balance of these particles determines the overall charge of an atom.
  
  When an atom loses an electron, it loses a negatively charged particle, creating an imbalance in the atom's charge. Since there are now more positively charged protons than negatively charged electrons, the atom becomes positively charged overall. This process is known as ionization, and the resulting positively charged atom is called a cation.
response: I lost an electron! (Image: Lennard from Big Bang Theory with a sad face)
  Are you positive? (Image: Sheldon Cooper with a curious face from Big Bang Theory)