Final answer:
When the net charge on either side of the plasma membrane is zero, it means that the electrochemical potential across the membrane is zero. This occurs when there is an equal number of positive and negative ions on each side of the membrane.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the net charge on either side of the plasma membrane is zero, it means that the electrochemical potential across the membrane is zero. This is because the positive and negative charges are balanced, resulting in no overall charge difference. This condition occurs when there is an equal number of positive and negative ions on each side of the membrane.