Final answer:
A normal atom that loses one electron becomes positively charged and is called a cation, transforming it into an ion without altering its elemental identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
A normal atom that has lost one electron has a positive charge. The process of losing an electron makes the atom a cation, which means it has more protons than electrons. For instance, a neutral sodium atom becomes Na+ after losing one electron, leaving it with a positive charge. This is because it now has one more proton than electron, making the atomic charge equal to the number of protons minus the number of electrons. Losing electrons does not change the element but transforms the atom into a charged particle called an ion. Specifically, atoms that lose electrons and become positively charged are referred to as cations.