Question
.In an atom with no overall charge, are there an equal number of protons and electrons, or an unequal number?
Answer
4.1
(237 Votes)
Declan
Professional · Tutor for 6 years
Answer
Equal number of protons and electrons
Explanation
An atom, when neutral and with no overall charge, must have a balance between negatively charged and positively charged particles. In each atom, the positively charged particles are the protons, which reside in the nucleus, while the negatively charged particles are the electrons, existing in shells outside the nucleus. Therefore, a neutral atom with no overall charge should indeed have an equal number of protons (positive charge) and electrons (negative charge). Thus, the number of protons will effectively cancel out the number of electrons, resulting in no net charge.