What type of atom forms when an atom loses electrons?

When an atom loses electrons, it becomes a positively charged ion, known as a cation. Electrons carry a negative charge, so losing electrons reduces the overall negative charge of the atom. As a result, there are more protons than electrons in the atom, leading to a net positive charge. This process is fundamental to the formation of ions, which can occur in various chemical reactions, particularly in ionic bonding where atoms interact to achieve a more stable electron configuration.

The other options do not accurately describe the result of losing electrons. A neutral atom has an equal number of protons and electrons, so once electrons are lost, the atom can no longer be considered neutral. Additionally, a negative atom would imply the atom has gained electrons, resulting in a negative charge, while "anionic" specifically refers to negatively charged ions, which again is the result of gaining electrons rather than losing them.