Question

1. An atom consist of charged particles called electrons and protons. Each proton has a charge of +1 and each electron has a charge of -1.Remember number of electrons is equal to number of protons, while answering these questions i) What is the charge on an atom? Ii) What will be the charge of an atom if it loses an electron? Iii) What will be the charge of an atom if it gains an electron?

Answer 1

I) no charge

ii) it will be positively charged

iiI) it will be negatively charged

Explanation:

An atom is composed of electrons, neutrons and protons. Electrons are negatively charged while protons are positively charged. The number of electrons and protons in a neutral atom are exactly the same. This ensures the electrical neutrality of the atom.

However, if an atom looses an electron, there are now more protons than electrons present in the atom hence the atom is positively charged.

Similarly, if an atom gains an electron, it now contains more electrons than protons, hence it is negatively charged.