Explain how an atom is composed of charged particles yet can have an overall charge of zero.

Atoms are composed of nuetrons (neutral), protons (positive), and electrons (negative). If you think of the charges like they are on a number scale, count towards the middle from each charge. Let's say you have an atom with 4 electrons and 4 protons. Draw or mentally think of a number line. - 4. - 3. - 2. - 1. 0. 1. 2. 3. 4 Move toward the middle of the line, recalling that opposit charges will cancel out - like when two people push against each other, and yet they don't move that much. - 2. - 1 0. 1. 2 - 1. 0. 1 0 The end result of all these opposites canceling out is zero. That is how the charged particles can be in an atom that is neutral in charge.

Atoms have an overall charge of zero because the charge of the electron is canceled by a proton and a neutron has a net charge of 0. If you were to take out an electron, you will create an ion (ion is an atom with a charge). This ion will have a charge because it now has different amount of electrons and protons.

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