Final answer:
True. An atom is considered neutral when it has an equal number of protons and electrons, which cancel out each other's charge, resulting in a net charge of zero.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the composition of atoms and their electrical neutrality. An atom is considered neutral when it contains an equal number of protons and electrons, as their charges cancel each other out. Protons, which have a positive charge, reside within the nucleus of an atom, whereas electrons, which have a negative charge, orbit around the nucleus. Neutrons also reside within the nucleus and have nearly the same mass as protons but no charge. Since the student's question refers to a neutral atom, and by definition, a neutral atom has to have equal numbers of protons and electrons, the answer is True.