In order to have a positive charge, an atom must have ________.

• A. more electrons than protons
• B. more neutrons than protons
• C. equal numbers of protons and electrons
• D. more protons than electrons

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that the charge of an atom depends on the balance between the number of protons and electrons it contains.
2. Protons carry a positive charge (+1), electrons carry a negative charge (-1), and neutrons are neutral (no charge).
3. If an atom has more electrons than protons, it will have a net negative charge (an anion).
4. If an atom has equal numbers of protons and electrons, it is electrically neutral.
5. Therefore, for an atom to have a positive charge, it must have more protons than electrons, resulting in a net positive charge.