Question detail

How does an atom become negatively charged?

Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.

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At a glance

MCQ

Type

practice

Style

Topic

Atoms and isotopes

Question

A. By gaining protons.
B. By losing neutrons.
C. By gaining electrons.
D. By losing electrons.

Answer

The correct answer is C: By gaining electrons..

Explanation

The correct answer is C: By gaining electrons.. This supports the learning objective "Use atomic structure to explain the difference between a neutral atom and a charged ion." in The structure of an atom because it uses the correct atomic and nuclear radiation relationship for Atoms and isotopes. The other options are less suitable because they do not match the required The structure of an atom idea: By gaining protons.; By losing neutrons.; By losing electrons..

Common mistake

Neutral Atoms vs Charged Ions

Students often confuse neutral atoms with charged ions, thinking they are the same because both contain protons and electrons.

To fix this, remember that a neutral atom has equal numbers of protons and electrons, resulting in no overall charge, while a charged ion has an unequal number of protons and electrons, leading to a positive or negative charge.

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