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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.

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