Multiple Choice
How many electrons are in a neutral lithium atom?
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4. Atoms and Elements
Subatomic Particles (Simplified)
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In a neutral atom, how do neutrons affect the atom’s overall electric charge?
A
They make the atom more positive because neutrons have charge.
B
They do not affect the charge because neutrons have charge.
C
They change the charge by changing the number of electrons in the atom.
D
They make the atom more negative because neutrons have charge.
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that an atom is composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons carry a positive charge, electrons carry a negative charge, and neutrons carry no charge.
Understand that the overall electric charge of an atom is determined by the balance between the number of protons (positive charges) and electrons (negative charges).
Since neutrons have zero charge, they do not contribute to the net electric charge of the atom.
Therefore, changing the number of neutrons in a neutral atom does not affect its overall electric charge; it only affects the atom's mass.
Conclude that neutrons do not make the atom more positive or negative because their charge is zero.
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