An atom has a charge of - 3 in its orbitals. Which statement must be true in order for this atom to have no net charge?

There are three positively charged protons outside the nucleus.

There are three neutral neutrons in the nucleus.

There are three positively charged protons in the nucleus.

There are two positively charged protons in the nucleus and one in an orbital.

Answer: There are three positively charged protons in the nucleus.

Explanation:

Atomic number is defined as the number of protons or number of electrons that are present in an atom in an electrically neutral atom.

Atomic number = Number of electrons = Number of protons

Ions are formed when an atom looses or gain electrons.

When an atom looses its electron, it results in the formation of a positive ion which is known as cation and when an atom gains electron, it results in the formation of a negative ion known as anion.

Thus if an atom has a charge of - 3, it means the atom has gained three electrons and thus for the atom to be electrically neutral, it must contain three protons which are positively charged and present in the nucleus.

For this atom to have no net charge there must be three protons in the nucleus.

The electrons in the orbitals carry the negative charge, so there must be three electrons.

The atom is neutral, so there must be three positive charges.

The protons carry the positive charge and are in the nucleus, so there must be three protons.