What is the net charge of an atom?

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What is the net charge of an atom?

2006-12-11 11:55:27 · 2 answers · asked by MeGs 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry

2 answers

Atoms are neutrally charged...they have no net electric charge.

When an atom gains a charge (either by gaining or loosing an electron), it becomes an ion.

2006-12-11 11:57:24 · answer #1 · answered by mrjeffy321 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋

By definition, an atom is neutral (charge = zero).

If it had a net charge, then we call it an ion, not an atom.

2006-12-11 11:57:21 · answer #2 · answered by Math-Chem-Physics Teacher 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋