Question

An atom has 9 electrons and 9 protons at the start. If it loses 2 electrons, the net charge on the atom will be . If the atom instead gains 4 electrons, the net charge will be

Answer 1

Loses two = +2
gains 4 = -4

Answer 2

Answer: If the atom loses 2 electrons, the net charge on the atom will be 2+

If the atom gains 4 electrons, the net charge on the atom will be 4-

Explanation:

An atom is smallest unit of a matter or substance.It consist of three subatomic particles : electrons, protons, neutrons.

Protons are positively charged, neutrons are neutral and both are located in nucleus where mass of an atom is concentrated.

Electrons are negatively charged and are located outside the nucleus where they orbit in different energy levels around the nucleus.

In an atom, when electrons are lost, the atom gains a positive charge and forms cation. In an atom, when electrons are gained, the atom occupies a negative charge and forms anion.

Thus an atom with 9 electrons and 9 protons will be electrically neutral.

On losing 2 electrons, there will be 7 electrons and 9 protons will have 2+ charge.On gaining 4 electrons, there will be 13 electrons and 9 protons will have 4- charge.