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Lesson: Chapter 3 — The Structure of Matter

Introduction 7 of 7

Question 7

Why is an atom electrically neutral?

The right answer is the one marked above.

Because an atom holds as many electrons as it has protons. Their charges are equal and opposite, so the positive and the negative cancel exactly.

The neutrons play no part in it — they have no charge to cancel anything with. And the nucleus certainly does carry a charge: it is positive, because the protons are gathered there.

Answer the question to continue.