110. Science Application: An atom consists of electrons and protons. Each proton has charge +1 and each electron has charge −1. (Number of electrons = number of protons in a neutral atom.)
(a) What is the charge on an atom?
(b) What will be the charge on an atom if it loses an electron?
(c) What will be the charge on an atom if it gains an electron?
(a) 0
(b) +1
(c) −1
(a) Equal numbers of +1 and −1 charges cancel.
(b) Losing one electron leaves one extra proton → net +1.
(c) Gaining one electron adds an extra −1 → net −1.