Final answer:
A xenon atom is electrically neutral because it has an equal number of protons and electrons, balancing its overall charge to zero. If xenon gains or loses electrons during a chemical reaction, it becomes an ion with a charge.
Step-by-step explanation:
A xenon atom is electrically neutral because it contains an equal number of protons and electrons. The positive charge of the protons in the nucleus is balanced by the negative charge of the electrons orbiting the nucleus. In a neutral xenon atom, the number of protons (which is equal to the atomic number) is the same as the number of electrons, making the atom's overall charge balanced or zero. When an atom has an equal number of protons and electrons, it exhibits no net electric charge, and so it is considered neutral.
However, if an atom like xenon undergoes a chemical reaction and either gains or loses electrons, it becomes an ion. An ion has an electrical charge because the balance between protons and electrons has been altered. Therefore, the neutrality of an atom such as xenon can change under certain conditions, leading to the formation of ions with positive or negative charges.