The answer is neutral charge. An atom element will always and has to be stable, in order for this state to happen. The charge of an electron has to be neutral. For atom with neutral charge, the proton will always equal the number of electron.
Inelastic.
If it was elastic, they'd bump right off each other. But since they've been locked, or stuck together, this is inelastic.
This is in the thermosphere which is at an altitude of 85-520km
