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Electrons are tiny subatomic particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom. They possess a fundamental property known as electric charge, which is crucial in the arrangement and interactions of atoms.
An electron carries a negative charge, which is precisely measured as \(-1.6 \times 10^{-19}\) coulombs. This negative charge plays a vital role in chemical reactions and bonding, as electrons are often transferred between atoms to achieve stability.
The concept of electron charge is fundamental because whenever an atom gains or loses electrons, it becomes a charged particle, also known as an ion. Understanding electron charge helps in predicting the behavior of ions in chemical reactions.

Atoms seek to achieve a stable electron configuration, often through the gain or loss of electrons. When an atom loses electrons, it becomes positively charged, forming a cation.
On the other hand, gaining electrons results in a negatively charged ion, called an anion. The charge of an ion is directly linked to the number of electrons lost or gained:

• Loss of electrons leads to positive ions (cations). For example, losing one electron results in a +1 charge, two electrons result in a +2 charge, and so on.
• Gain of electrons leads to negative ions (anions).

In the given exercise, an atom loses three electrons and consequently gains a charge of +3. This is due to the loss of negative charges, resulting in more positive charges being present in the atom. Understanding ionic charges is crucial in chemistry as it affects how atoms bond and interact with each other.

Basic chemistry concepts provide the foundation for understanding how matter interacts. One of these concepts is that atoms consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Protons are positively charged, electrons are negatively charged, and neutrons have no charge. The balance between these charges in an atom determines its net charge. Generally, a neutral atom has equal numbers of protons and electrons.
When there is an imbalance due to the gain or loss of electrons, the atom becomes charged, forming ions. These ions are central to many chemical reactions, as they are involved in forming ionic bonds. Basic chemistry concepts such as atomic structure and electron arrangement help us predict and explain these transformations in chemical processes.