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This is kind of a trick question...

An atom has a fixed number of electrons. However, some atoms are predisposed to give up or accept electrons to ensure their outer shell is full. When that happens, though, they are no longer atoms, but become ions. An ion is a charged atom.

For example: Chlorine has an outer shell that is one electron short of a full shell. It readily accepts an electron from anything that will donate it. In doing so it goes from being a Chlorine atom to a Chlorine ion with a negative charge.

Sodium has one electron in its outer shell. If it loses it it has a full outer energy shell and is more stable. It readily goes from being a sodium atom to being a sodium ion with a positive charge.

Hence the trick question. Yes an atom can change the number of electrons it has, but as soon as it does so it stops being an atom and becomes an ion. Or, conversely, no, an atom cannot change its number of electrons because when it does so it stops being an atom and becomes an ion. Take your pick!

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Q: Does the number of electrons in an atom ever change?
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What can be determined if you know the atomic number of an electrically neutral atom?

The number of electrons can be determined if the overall charge and number of protons are known. If the charge of an atom is neutral, then how ever many protons it has it will also have that number of electrons.


Is calcuim a mixture?

Only of isotopes. Calcium is an element. No mixture of chemicals can ever be a single element. The atoms of any element, such as calcium, always have the same number of protons and the same number of electrons. The number of electrons in an atom is the same as the number of protons in that atom. Different Isotopes of an element have different numbers of neutrons in the nucleus, but this doesn't change any of the chemical properties.


How many protons and electrons does a chloride ion have?

Protons = 17, electrons = 18There are two isotopes differing in neutron number only :Cl-35 (75%) having 35-17= 18 neutronsCl-37 (25%) having 37-17= 20 neutrons


How many electrons do the atoms in the periodic table normally have?

Each element has a specific number that doesn't change. That number is the atomic number they are given on the periodic table. For example Hydrogen has 1 electron, Helium has 2, Lithium has 3, and so on. The number of electrons in a atom would be determined by what ever element it is.


Do the number of protons in a specific atom ever change?

no. because if the number of protons changes, then the element changes


Which two particles in an atom are equal in a number?

Under normal conditions, i.e. non-ionic, the number of protons is equal to the number of electrons.


Do hydrogen and oxygen have the same number of electrons?

NO! No atom of one element ever has the same atomic number as an atom of a different element, because atomic number is the property that characterizes an element and distinguishes it from all other elements.


What year did the electrons move in the atom?

They have always done that, ever since atoms and electrons existed.


Where are electrons of an atom found?

On the outer edge of an atom on the rings of it if youv'e ever seen a picture of it before.


How can atom be seen?

No nobody has ever seen an atom or atoms, though many people/scientists claim they have, NOBODY HAS EVER SEEN AN ATOM!


Does an atom ever give up a proton?

No, an atom can never give up a proton. Only electrons can be shared between atoms.


In an atom do protons ever equal to electrons?

Any atom with no charge, which is all atoms in their purest, most basic form, have the same number of protons and electrons. They only have different numbers after they have reacted with something else and formed compounds like salt (sodium chloride), water and carbon dioxide.