How do the charges of protons and electrons ensure the overall electrical neutrality of a typical atom?
ChemistryClass 11CBSEAnswered 18 May 2026
Answer
In a typical, neutral atom, the number of positively charged protons is equal to the number of negatively charged electrons. These equal and opposite charges cancel each other out, resulting in a net electrical charge of zero.
The balance between the positive charge of protons and the negative charge of electrons is what makes an atom electrically neutral. Any imbalance leads to the formation of an ion.
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