What occurs when a molecular structure gains or loses an electron?

When a molecular structure gains or loses an electron, it becomes an ion. This process is fundamental to the behavior of atoms and molecules. Atoms are composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons, and their neutral state occurs when the number of protons equals the number of electrons.

When an atom gains an electron, it has more negative charge than positive charge, resulting in a negatively charged ion, known as an anion. Conversely, when an atom loses an electron, it has more positive charge than negative charge, resulting in a positively charged ion, referred to as a cation. The formation of ions is critical in many chemical reactions, including the formation of ionic bonds in compounds.

While the other options present different geological or chemical processes, they do not directly relate to what occurs specifically when an atom gains or loses electrons. For example, becoming a mineral involves a specific crystallization process, being classified as a proton refers to a fundamental particle distinct from electrons, and being transformed into magma involves a state change of materials under extreme heat and pressure, neither of which relate to the gain or loss of electrons.