What is the combined charge of an atom with equal numbers of protons and electrons?

What is the combined charge of an atom with equal numbers of protons and electrons?

• A. Positive charge
• B. Negative charge
• C. Neutral charge
• D. Variable charge

Answer: (C)

An atom is composed of protons, which have a positive charge, and electrons, which have a negative charge. In a neutral atom, the number of protons is equal to the number of electrons. This balance results in the total charge of the atom being zero, as the positive charges from the protons effectively cancel out the negative charges from the electrons. Therefore, such an atom is described as having a neutral charge. This understanding is fundamental in chemistry as it explains the stability of atoms and their interactions with other atoms. In contrast, options suggesting a positive or negative charge imply an imbalance in the numbers of protons and electrons, while the notion of a variable charge does not apply to standard atomic structures without other influencing factors.

An atom is composed of protons, which have a positive charge, and electrons, which have a negative charge. In a neutral atom, the number of protons is equal to the number of electrons. This balance results in the total charge of the atom being zero, as the positive charges from the protons effectively cancel out the negative charges from the electrons. Therefore, such an atom is described as having a neutral charge. This understanding is fundamental in chemistry as it explains the stability of atoms and their interactions with other atoms. In contrast, options suggesting a positive or negative charge imply an imbalance in the numbers of protons and electrons, while the notion of a variable charge does not apply to standard atomic structures without other influencing factors.