GK
CHEMISTRY
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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protons
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neutrons
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electrons
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nucleus
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Detailed explanation-1: -When an atom has an equal number of electrons and protons, it has an equal number of negative electric charges (the electrons) and positive electric charges (the protons). The total electric charge of the atom is therefore zero and the atom is said to be neutral.
Detailed explanation-2: -A stable atom has a net charge of 0. In other words, it has an equal number of protons and electrons. The positive protons cancel out the negative electrons. When the number of electrons does not equal the number of protons, the atom is ionized.
Detailed explanation-3: -Thus, if an atom contains equal numbers of protons and electrons, the atom is described as being electrically neutral. On the other hand, if an atom has an unequal number of protons and electrons, then the atom is electrically charged (and in fact, is then referred to as an ion rather than an atom).
Detailed explanation-4: -Therefore, the statement is true.