Which of the following atoms would be electrically neutral?

• A. An atom with 11 protons and 11 electrons
• B. An atom with 12 protons and 10 electrons
• C. An atom with 8 protons and 10 electrons
• D. An atom with 7 protons and 6 electrons

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that an atom is electrically neutral when the number of protons (positively charged) equals the number of electrons (negatively charged).
2. Examine each option by comparing the number of protons and electrons:
3. For the atom with 11 protons and 11 electrons, the charges balance because 11 positive charges equal 11 negative charges.
4. For the atom with 12 protons and 10 electrons, there are more protons than electrons, so it is positively charged and not neutral.
5. For the atom with 8 protons and 10 electrons, there are more electrons than protons, so it is negatively charged and not neutral.
6. For the atom with 7 protons and 6 electrons, there are more protons than electrons, so it is positively charged and not neutral.