How can an atom exist in neutral state?

Answer 1

An atom consists of protons, neutrons and electrons. Protons have a charge of +1, and electrons have a charge of -1. However, by definition an atom has an equal number of protons and electrons (if it did not, it would properly be called an ion). From a reasonable distance, then, it appears as if all the charges are concentrated at a single point, and we can simply add them up to find a total charge for the atom of 0. This is what we mean when we say an atom is neutral. Note the assumption of a "reasonable distance". At quantum distances, it certainly does not make sense to regard an atom as neutral. Furthermore, molecules (combinations of atoms) have what is called an electric dipole moment: viewed from different angles, they appear to have slightly variable charges. This is due to asymmetries in the charge distributions when multiple atoms bond. In particular, water (H2O) has a definite dipole moment, which gives rise to relatively strong van der Waals forces between the molecules. These forces are principally responsible for properties of water such as it viscocity, surface tension, melting and boiling points, and so forth.

Answer 2

Yes, an isotope can be a neutral atom. But the term isotope isn't really about whether an atom is neutral or has loaned out or borrowed one or more electrons and thus become an ion. The term isotope is a word that refers to different atoms of the same element that have different numbers of nucleons. Nucleons are those little guys that populate the nucleus - protons and neutrons. Take hydrogen. It has a proton and an orbiting electron in its neutral state. Usually. But some hydrogen atoms have a neutron hanging out with that proton in the nucleus. It's still hydrogen and reacts chemically like the "regular" hydrogen atoms, but it's about twice the mass! It's another isotope of hydrogen. There are even hydrogen atoms with two neutrons hanging out with that proton. They're all hydrogen, but there are three different flavors of it. Three different isotopes.

Answer 3

Atoms ore not in their neutral state if the number of protons and the number of electrons are not the same. In order for an atom to be in its neutral state it gains electron from other atoms. This process is called Ionization, the process of atoms gaining or losing electrons to become anions or cations.

Answer 4

An atom is electrically neutral when it has equal numbers of protons and electrons.

Further answer

All atoms are electrically neutral unless something has happened that has added or removed one or more electrons. But they are not then 'proper' atoms, but modified ones.

Answer 5

If an atom contains the same number of protons (positive) as electrons (negative), then to an outside observer, the atom has a neutral charge because the protons's charge and the electron's charge balance each other out exactly.

Answer 6

when the there are lot of neutrons lool

okay an atom can exist in the neutral state by adding an equal number of protons and electrons then it becomes neutral ....

Answer 7

because the other electrons zero it out and which becomes a neutral charge