Question

1. reasoning in order for an atom to have a zero charge, every proton, which has a charge of +1, must be matched with an electron, which has a charge of −1. a helium atom has 2 protons and 2 electrons. explain why a helium atom has a zero charge. 3. model with math explain how to use number line to show that opposite qua combine to make 0.

Explanation:

A proton has a charge of +1, and an electron has a charge of -1. A helium atom has 2 protons and 2 electrons. The total charge from protons is \(2\times( + 1)=+2\), and the total charge from electrons is \(2\times(- 1)=-2\). When we add these two total charges together (\(+2 + (-2)\)), we get 0. So the positive charges from protons and negative charges from electrons cancel each other out, resulting in a zero - charge for the helium atom.

Answer:

A helium atom has 2 protons (each with a charge of +1, so total proton charge is \(2\times(+1) = + 2\)) and 2 electrons (each with a charge of - 1, so total electron charge is \(2\times(-1)=-2\)). The sum of the total proton charge and total electron charge is \((+2)+(-2)=0\), so the helium atom has a zero charge.