A lifeless atom

[claymore]

How does an atom hold on to its electrical charge,does it weaken over time ? If it loses it, is that what is meant by decay. What does an atom become if it has no electrical charge?

[Phil7]

Not sure where you're going with this - an atom has neutral net electrical charge, balanced by equal numbers of electrons to protons.

If it loses or gains an electron it becomes an ion.

If protons are gained/lost we're talking nuclear fusion/fission or some form of radioactive decay and it becomes a different element.

[Docsteve]

Two atoms walking down a street.
Atom 1: "I seem to have lost an electron!"
Atom2: "Are you positive?"

Humour aside, atoms have no net electrical charge unless they have an imbalance of protons and electrons. The charge on protons and electrons is fixed and does not diminish unless they decay or collide with other subatomical particles.

[sonali]

all i know is that an atom becomes an ion when it has a charge and it is an atom when it has no charge

[squarebear]

A neutron walks into a pub. "I'd like a beer", he says. The landlord promptly serves him a beer. "How much will that be?" asks the neutron.
"For you?" replies the landlord, "No charge."