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Question
- why is a neutral atom electrically neutral?
An atom consists of protons (positive charge), neutrons (no charge), and electrons (negative charge). In a neutral atom, the number of protons (positive charges) is equal to the number of electrons (negative charges). The positive and negative charges cancel each other out, resulting in a net charge of zero, so the atom is electrically neutral.
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A neutral atom is electrically neutral because the number of positively - charged protons in its nucleus is equal to the number of negatively - charged electrons surrounding the nucleus. The positive and negative charges cancel each other, resulting in a net charge of zero.