Why are the number of protons and electrons equal in an atom of an element?

Answer 1

If there were more electrons, than protons, the atom's charge would be negative. If there were more protons that electrons, the atomic charge would be positive. The atom tries to remain neutral with the same number of protons and electrons.

Answer 2

The charge of a neutral atom must have a charge of zero. Take the following as an example/explanation.

If one proton is 1, and one electron is -1, 1 proton with 1 electron will equal zero (hydrogen atom).

In a case when this is not true, and the number of protons and electrons are different, then the charge of the entire atom is shifted, becoming either positive or negative. The atom is then called an ion, as it now has a charge.

Answer 3

An atom is supposed to be electrically neutral, i.e. to have zero charge. Since each proton is designated with a +1 charge, and each electron has a -1 charge, they must have equal numbers if the atom is to have zero overall charge.

Answer 4

because protons are positive and electrons are negative. all atoms must be neutral so they need equal amounts of protons ans electrons to make it neutral

Answer 5

An atom has an equal amount of protons and electrons so it remains electrically neutral. (meaning it doesn't have a positive nor negative charge).

Answer 6

To neutralize the over all charge of the element......

This differs during chemical reactions for example in ionic compounds like NaCl.

Hope it helped ]=0

Answer 7

because an atom always has similar number of neutrons. this equilibrium causes changes in electron count that are always equal to the number of protons.

Answer 8

Thats the reason its called "stable"

Answer 9

ewan