Positively charged sodium ions transport electrical impulses in the nervous system. which subatomic particle does sodium lose to attain a positive charge?

In order for sodium to become a cation (positively charged), it has to loose an electron since electrons are negatively charged so I think the answer is that it will loose an electron.

I hope this helps.  Let me know if anything is unclear.

You use the atomic number to find out how many protons and neutrons there are in the atom. you use the atomic mass to find out how many protons and electrons there are in the atom.