An atom in an ionic state will have lost or gained which of the following that will result in a net negative or net positive charge?

An atom in an ionic state can either lose electrons or gain electrons, depending on whether it is a cation or an anion, respectively.

When an atom loses electrons, it forms a cation with a net positive charge. This is because the loss of negatively charged electrons leaves the atom with a greater number of positively charged protons, resulting in an overall positive charge. For example, when sodium (Na) loses one electron, it forms a sodium ion (Na+) with a net positive charge.

On the other hand, when an atom gains electrons, it forms an anion with a net negative charge. This is because the gain of negatively charged electrons increases the number of negative charges relative to the positive charges from protons, resulting in an overall negative charge. For instance, when chlorine (Cl) gains one electron, it forms a chloride ion (Cl-) with a net negative charge.