A lithium atom has 3 protons, 4 neutrons and 3 electrons. How would the atom change to become a cation? How would the atom change to become an anion?

- For the lithium ion to change to become an anion, it will have to gain one or more electrons which can be pulled away from possibly other atoms with a weaker affinity for them.

- For the lithium ion to change to become a cation, it will have to loose one or more electrons which can be drawn by other atoms with a stronger affinity for them.

Explanation:

Generally, an anion has a net negative charge arising from the fact that it has more electrons than protons while a cation has a net positive charge arising from the fact that it has more protons than electrons.

Now, for the lithium ion to change to an anion, it means it has to have more electrons than it's protons. Thus, since it has 3 number each of protons and electrons, it will have to gain one or more electrons which can be pulled away from possibly other atoms with a weaker affinity for them.

Now, for the lithium ion to change to a cation, it means it has to have more protons than it's electrons. Thus, since it has 3 number each of protons and electrons, it will have to loose one or more electrons which can be drawn out by possibly other atoms with a stronger affinity for them.