Why does an atom have no net electric charge?

• A. Because electrons have no charge
• B. Because protons and neutrons have opposite charges that cancel each other
• C. Because the number of neutrons equals the number of electrons
• D. Because the number of protons equals the number of electrons

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that an atom consists of three main subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons.
2. Recall that protons carry a positive charge, electrons carry a negative charge, and neutrons are electrically neutral (no charge).
3. Recognize that the net electric charge of an atom depends on the balance between the number of protons and electrons.
4. Since protons and electrons have equal but opposite charges, when their numbers are equal, their charges cancel each other out, resulting in no net charge.
5. Note that neutrons do not affect the net charge because they have no charge, so the atom's neutrality depends solely on the equality of protons and electrons.