Question

An atom consists of 5 protons and 7 electrons. The atom can be made neutral by ________.

• A. adding 2 electrons
• B. removing 2 electrons
• C. adding 2 protons
• D. removing 2 protons

Answer 1

The correct option is B removing 2 electrons

A neutral atom consists of an equal number of positive and negative charges. As we know, protons are positively charged and electrons are negatively charged subatomic particles of the atom.
Thus, an equal number of protons and electrons makes an atom neutral.
Here, the atom consists of 7 electrons and 5 protons.
Thus, the number of electrons is 2 more than the number of protons.
Hence, the atom can be made neutral by removing 2 electrons.