Question

Explain how an atom is composed of charged particles yet can have an overall charge of zero.

Answer 1

Atoms are composed of nuetrons (neutral), protons (positive), and electrons (negative). If you think of the charges like they are on a number scale, count towards the middle from each charge. Let's say you have an atom with 4 electrons and 4 protons. Draw or mentally think of a number line. -4. -3. -2. -1. 0. 1. 2. 3. 4 Move toward the middle of the line, recalling that opposit charges will cancel out- like when two people push against each other, and yet they don't move that much. -2. -1 0. 1. 2 -1. 0. 1 0 The end result of all these opposites canceling out is zero. That is how the charged particles can be in an atom that is neutral in charge.

Answer 2

Atoms have an overall charge of zero because the charge of the electron is canceled by a proton and a neutron has a net charge of 0.If you were to take out an electron,you will create an ion(ion is an atom with a charge).This ion will have a charge because it now has different amount of electrons and protons.

Source:webcast.berkeley.edu