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Because unlike charges attract, like charges repel. When atoms have a charge they are referred to as 'ions'. If the atom has the same number of protons and electrons, it will have no charge because the positive protons and negative electrons cancel each other out. If the atom's protons and electrons are unequal in number, the atom is referred to as either a 'positive ion' or a 'negative ion', as applicable.

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How is the charge on an individual atom represented?

The charge of an atom as a whole is zero. We can give the charge of a nucleus. If any electron, negatively charged one, go out of atom then the atom gets positive charge and it is named as positive ion. Same way if excess electrons get cling with the neutral atom then the atom becomes a negative ion.


Why is that the whole atom has no charge?

Because protons (positive) are neutralized by electrons (negative).


Does the nucleus of an atom have a positive or negative charge?

Usually, the whole atom is neutral. However, the nucleus has a positive charge because it is made up of protons and neutrons. Protons have positive charges but neutrons have no charge at all.The atomic nucleus has a positive charge.


What kind of charge does the a whole atom have?

Every proton in an atom's nucleus gives it a positive charge equal to the negative charge from the electrons orbiting the nucleus. The charge of the entire atom is neutral if there are an equal number of protons and electrons. If there are an unequal number of protons and electrons, the net charge of the atom, which is now an ion, is plus or minus e for each extra or missing electron. For example if an atom has 6 protons and 4 electrons, it has a charge of plus 2e.


What is the overall charge of the atom since the atom contains positive charges and negative charges. how is that possible?

An atom is always neutral of charge, meaning ZERO. This is possible because of the equal numbers of (positive) protons and (negative) electrons, each plus charge is compensated by one (equally negative) minus charge.


What changes the charge of the atom?

what changes the charge of the atom


How can you sort the parts of an atom by their charges?

You can sort the parts of an atom by their charges by considering the number of protons and electrons they contain. Protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative charge, and neutrons are neutral. The atom as a whole is neutral, meaning it has the same number of protons (positive charge) and electrons (negative charge).


What will be the charge of a neutral atom?

A neutral atom will have a charge of ZERO


Does an atom have charge?

Yes, an atom can have charge. Atoms consist of protons, which have a positive charge, neutrons, which have no charge, and electrons, which have a negative charge. The overall charge of an atom depends on the balance of these particles.


Is an atom a negative charge or a positive charge?

An atom with positive charge is cation.An atom with negative charge is anion.


Is an ion atom with a charge?

An ion is an atom with a positive or negative charge.


What is defined as an atom that has a charge?

When an atom has an electric charge it is called an ion.