Question

If an atom has 17 protons, 15 neutrons, and 20 electrons, what is the atom's electrical charge?

Answer 1

The overall charge on this ion is -3. Neutrons don’t carry a charge, while protons and electrons carry a net +1 and -1 charge, respectively. In this case, the electrons outweigh the protons by 3, making the overall charge -3.

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