Does the following drawing represent a neutral atom or an ion?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the number of protons in the nucleus. In this case, there are 8 protons.
2. Identify the number of electrons surrounding the nucleus. In this case, there are 10 electrons.
3. Compare the number of protons and electrons. A neutral atom has an equal number of protons and electrons.
4. Since there are more electrons (10) than protons (8), the atom has a net negative charge.
5. Conclude that the atom is an ion, specifically an anion, because it has more electrons than protons.

Key Concepts

Atomic Structure

An atom consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons in defined energy levels. Protons are positively charged, neutrons are neutral, and electrons are negatively charged. The number of protons determines the element, while the arrangement of electrons influences chemical behavior.

Neutral Atoms vs. Ions

A neutral atom has an equal number of protons and electrons, resulting in no overall charge. An ion, however, is formed when an atom gains or loses electrons, leading to a net positive or negative charge. In the provided diagram, the presence of 10 electrons and 8 protons indicates that the atom is negatively charged, thus making it an ion.

Charge Calculation

The charge of an atom can be calculated by subtracting the number of electrons from the number of protons. If the result is zero, the atom is neutral; if positive, it is a cation (loss of electrons); if negative, it is an anion (gain of electrons). In this case, with 10 electrons and 8 protons, the charge is -2, confirming it is an anion.