Question

in a normal atom, the negative charges of the electron ____ the positive charges of the protons.

Explanation:

In a normal (neutral) atom, the number of electrons (which carry negative charge) is equal to the number of protons (which carry positive charge). So the negative charges of the electrons balance (or are equal to) the positive charges of the protons. The most appropriate word to fill in the blank is "balance" (or "are equal to").

Answer:

balance (or are equal to)