What is the relationship between the amount of protons and electrons in a positive ion?

In a positive ion, the number of protons is greater than the number of electrons. An ion is an atom or a group of atoms that has an electric charge due to the loss or gain of electrons. When an atom loses one or more electrons, it becomes a positive ion, also known as a cation.

The number of protons in an atom is equal to its atomic number, and the number of electrons is normally equal to the number of protons in a neutral atom. However, when an atom loses electrons, it has more protons than electrons, resulting in a net positive charge.

For example:

• A neutral sodium atom has 11 protons and 11 electrons.
• If a sodium atom loses one electron, it becomes a positive ion (Na+), and it has 11 protons and 10 electrons.

The positive charge in a cation is equal to the number of electrons lost. It's important to note that the number of protons remains the same, as the identity of the element is determined by the number of protons in its nucleus.