Question

A lithium atom has positively charged protons and negatively charged electrons. The sum of the charges represents the charge of the lithium atom. Find the charge of the atom

Answer 1

Zero

Explanation:

We are given that a lithium atom has positively charged protons and negatively charged electrons.

The sum of charges represents the charge of the lithium atom.

We have to find the charge on lithium atom.

We are given that number of protons=3

Charge on one proton=+1

Total charge on 3 protons=3(1)=+3

Number of electrons=3

Charge on each electron=-1

Total charge on 3 electrons=3(-1)=-3

Sum of charges=3+(-3)=3-3=0

Hence, the charge of the atom =0

Therefore, lithium atom is neutral.

Answer 2

In the atomic structure model, the negatively charged particles in the orbitals are the electrons. They have an electric charge of -1. The positively charge particles in the nucleus are protons. The overall charge is:

Overall charge = 3(-1) + 3(+1) = 0

The overall charge is zero. In other words, the lithium atom is neutral.