Question

launch: look at the figure below, then answer the questions:

1. if a neutral atom donates 1 electron, what would its charge be?

explain why:

1. if a neutral atom accepts 1 electron, what would its charge be?

explain why:

Explanation:

Question 1

Step1: Recall charge of electron

An electron has a charge of $-1$. A neutral atom has equal protons (positive) and electrons (negative).

Step2: Analyze donation of electron

If a neutral atom donates 1 electron, it loses a $-1$ charge. So net charge = protons - (electrons - 1) = (protons - electrons) + 1. Since neutral, protons = electrons, so net charge = $0 + 1 = +1$.

Step1: Recall charge of electron

An electron has a charge of $-1$. A neutral atom has equal protons (positive) and electrons (negative).

Step2: Analyze acceptance of electron

If a neutral atom accepts 1 electron, it gains a $-1$ charge. So net charge = protons - (electrons + 1) = (protons - electrons) - 1. Since neutral, protons = electrons, so net charge = $0 - 1 = -1$.

Answer:

The charge would be $+1$ (or positive one) because donating an electron (negative charge) makes the atom have more protons than electrons, resulting in a positive charge.

Question 2