Question

In a neutral atom, the number of protons is always equal to what other part of the atom?

a.The sum of electrons and neutrons

b.The number of electrons

c.The number of neutrons

d.The number of neutrons

Answer 1

b. The number of electrons

Step-by-step explanation:

A "neutral atom" has a neutral charge. This means that its charge is equal to zero. In order for the charges to cancel out each other, the atom's positive charge should be equal to the negative charge. These being said, the number of electrons (negatively-charged) is then equal to the number of protons (positively-charged). Those atoms which are not neutral are called "ions." This means that they either have more or less electrons than the protons.