An atom has no overall charge if it contains equal numbers of____?
protons and electrons
An atom has no overall charge if it contains equal numbers of protons and electrons.
To understand why this is the case, we need to have some basic knowledge about the structure of an atom. Atoms are composed of three main subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative charge, and neutrons have no charge (they are neutral).
The number of protons in an atom is called its atomic number and determines the element it represents. For example, if an atom has six protons, it is carbon; if it has eight protons, it is oxygen.
On the other hand, the number of electrons in an atom is equal to the number of protons when the atom is neutral. Electrons orbit around the nucleus of an atom in specific energy levels or shells. Each energy level has a maximum number of electrons that can occupy it. The first energy level can hold a maximum of two electrons, while subsequent levels can hold more.
The concept of charge neutrality in an atom comes from the fact that opposite charges attract each other. Protons have a positive charge, and electrons have a negative charge. Therefore, to maintain overall charge neutrality, the number of protons and electrons in an atom must be equal.
For example, a hydrogen atom has one proton and one electron, both with opposite charges. The positive charge of the proton is balanced by the negative charge of the electron, resulting in a neutral overall charge.
In summary, an atom has no overall charge if it contains equal numbers of protons and electrons.