Explain why an atom is neutral.
Answer (3)
Atoms are neutral because they contain the same amount of protons and electrons. An electrically charged particle called an ion is produced when electrons are removed from a neutral atom to give a positive charge or when electrons are added to a neutral atom to give a negative charge. Since the number of protons and electrons are the same, the electric charges cancel one another making the atom neutral.
A simple atom has an equal amount of both negative and positive charges, which makes it neutral. Also, where the about of electrons are equal to the atomic number.
An atom is neutral because it has an equal number of positively charged protons and negatively charged electrons, which balance each other out. When the number of protons and electrons differ, the atom becomes charged and is referred to as an ion. Neutral atoms can become ions by losing or gaining electrons.
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