GainGive

CHEMISTRY. Ionic bonding.
Two atoms that aren't stable because they haven't got enough electrons in their outermost shells have to give and take electrons from each other in order to both achieve stability.
They have to cooperate. They have to have a mutual exchange.
When an atom loses an electron, the charge will increase by one.
Apparently it gains when it gives away.
When an atom accepts an electron, the charge will decrease by one.
Apparently it loses when it takes.
But that will let it give to another atom someday somewhere.

Lots of people can't seem to understand this is chemistry class. They keep making the same mistake and seem to keep thinking that when the atom loses electrons, it really loses out.
I hope this helps, guys.