Atom is electrically neutral. Why?

Question

Answer

Answer

An atom is electrically neutral because,
according to bohr-bury scheme an atom consist of negatively charged particle electrons which revolve around the nucleus in energy shells and positevely charged protons inside the nucleus which are equal in number

Answer

Electric Neutrality of an Atom

An atom is considered electrically neutral because the number of protons in its nucleus is equal to the number of electrons surrounding the nucleus. This balance between positive and negative charges results in a net charge of zero, making the atom electrically neutral. Let's explore this concept in more detail.

Structure of an Atom

An atom is the basic unit of matter and consists of three main subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons carry a positive charge, neutrons have no charge (they are neutral), and electrons carry a negative charge.

Protons and Electrons

Protons and electrons are found in different regions of an atom. Protons are located in the nucleus, which is at the center of the atom, while electrons occupy energy levels or shells around the nucleus.

Charge of Protons

Protons carry a positive charge of +1. Each proton contributes to the overall positive charge of the atom.

Charge of Electrons

Electrons carry a negative charge of -1. Each electron contributes to the overall negative charge of the atom.

Neutral Atom

To understand why an atom is electrically neutral, we need to consider the balance between protons and electrons.

- The number of protons in an atom determines its atomic number and defines its identity as a specific element.
- The number of electrons in an atom is equal to the number of protons, maintaining the overall electrical neutrality.

Electron Distribution

Electrons occupy different energy levels or shells around the nucleus. The first energy level can hold a maximum of two electrons, while the subsequent energy levels can hold more. The distribution of electrons follows a specific pattern, known as the electronic configuration.

Stable Electron Configuration

Atoms tend to have a stable electron configuration, which means they strive to have a completely filled outermost energy level. This is achieved by gaining, losing, or sharing electrons with other atoms.

Ion Formation

When an atom gains or loses electrons, it becomes an ion with a net positive or negative charge. However, in its natural state, an atom has an equal number of protons and electrons, resulting in an overall charge of zero.

Conclusion

In conclusion, an atom is electrically neutral because the number of protons and electrons in an atom is balanced. The positive charge of the protons is exactly counteracted by the negative charge of the electrons, resulting in a net charge of zero. This balance is essential for the stability and overall behavior of atoms in chemical reactions and interactions with other atoms.

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