Multiple Choice
In which parts of an atom are electrons, protons, and neutrons primarily located?
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2. Atoms & Elements
The Atom
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Which of the following is a rule for making a neutral atom with no overall charge?
A
The number of electrons must be twice the number of protons.
B
The number of protons must equal the number of neutrons.
C
The number of neutrons must equal the number of electrons.
D
The number of protons must equal the number of electrons.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that a neutral atom has no overall electric charge, meaning the positive and negative charges must balance each other.
Recall that protons carry a positive charge (+1) and electrons carry a negative charge (-1), while neutrons have no charge and do not affect the overall charge.
Recognize that for an atom to be neutral, the total positive charge from protons must be exactly balanced by the total negative charge from electrons.
Therefore, the number of protons must equal the number of electrons to ensure the charges cancel out and the atom has no net charge.
Note that the number of neutrons does not affect the charge balance; it only affects the isotope identity and atomic mass.
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