Which of the following explains why atoms are electrically neutral particles?

• A. Atoms have more neutrons than protons.
• B. Atoms have equal numbers of protons and electrons.
• C. Atoms have twice as many electrons as protons.
• D. Atoms have no charged particles.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that an atom is composed of three main subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons.
2. Recall that protons carry a positive charge, electrons carry a negative charge, and neutrons have no charge (they are neutral).
3. Recognize that the overall electrical charge of an atom depends on the balance between the number of protons and electrons.
4. Since protons are positively charged and electrons are negatively charged, an atom is electrically neutral when it has an equal number of protons and electrons, so their charges cancel out.
5. Note that neutrons do not affect the electrical charge because they are neutral, so the neutrality of an atom is not related to the number of neutrons.