Question

Justify: "An atom on the whole is an electri­cally neutral entity".

Answer 1

Atoms:

1. Atoms are made up of sub-atomic particles protons, neutrons and electrons.
2. The protons are positively charged, neutrons are electrically neutral and the electrons are negatively charged.
3. The protons and neutrons are present in the nucleus while the electrons revolve in the shells around the nucleus.
4. Every atom has an equal number of oppositely charged protons and electrons.
5. These equal number of protons and electrons balance out the charges of each other and make atom electrically neutral.
6. Thus, “an atom on the whole is an electrically neutral entity”.

Example:

1. Consider a hydrogen atom.
2. The hydrogen atom contains one proton and one electron.
3. As there are equal number of positive and negative charges, the charges are nullified.
4. Thus, hydrogen atom is electrically neutral.