Final answer:
A neutral atom with 9 protons will have 9 electrons in its electron cloud to maintain electrical neutrality, as exemplified by a neutral fluorine atom.
Step-by-step explanation:
An atom that is neutral and has 9 protons will have exactly 9 electrons in its electron cloud. This is because, to maintain neutrality, an atom must have an equal number of protons and electrons. The positive charges of protons and the negative charges of electrons cancel each other out in a neutral atom. This relation is true for any neutral atom, as illustrated by elements like hydrogen with 1 electron and gold with 79 electrons for their respective atomic numbers.
For instance, a neutral fluorine atom, which has an atomic number of 9, will have 9 electrons. These electrons are distributed across the atom's energy levels, with the first 2 in the first level and the remainder in the second level. If additional electrons are added to a neutral atom, it becomes an anion with a negative charge, as in the case of ¹⁹F-, which has one more electron than proton.