2006-09-06 02:57:05 · 6 answers · asked by killer 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Because they have the same amount of positive charge in the nucleus as they have negative charge in the electron shells, unless it's an ion. Summing the charges up they cancel out and an overall electrically neutral atom remains. Of course the electron shell is still negative charged and the protons in the nucleus positive, so the atom just seems to be neutral if watched from a greater distance, where the distance between the electrons and the nucleus is negligible.
2006-09-06 03:03:07 · answer #1 · answered by Wonko der Verständige 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think an atom in its free state is electrically neutral because of balance of electrical charge by equal no. of electrons and protons. therefore, its neutral
2006-09-06 10:00:34 · answer #2 · answered by werewolf_in 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
neutrality is one of the characteristic of a stable atom - if they are present as an ion, they would NATURALLY find a way to bond with another elemnt/compund to neautralize.
however, atoms that are electrically neutral have stable electrons, so in itself they are neutral. however, they are still unstable in such a way that they do not satisfy the octet rule. But still, they are neutral.
2006-09-06 10:10:29 · answer #3 · answered by lune_ellise 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because everything tends to reach a state of minimal energy, a state of stability and a system with no net charge has less energy than a charged system, reaching, therefore, a stable state.
2006-09-06 10:47:24 · answer #4 · answered by Syaoran 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have an equal amount of positive and negative charge which neutralises their electric property.
2006-09-06 10:02:50 · answer #5 · answered by A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I AGREE WITH WEREWOLF_IN.. NO ELECTRONS HAVE BEEN LOSS.. AND ELECTRONS CAN BE LOSS IF THEY ARE IN ITS EXITED PHASE..
2006-09-06 10:03:51 · answer #6 · answered by frank simon 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋