Question detail

What is the difference between a neutral atom and a charged ion?

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. A neutral atom has no neutrons, while a charged ion does.
B. A neutral atom has equal protons and electrons, while a charged ion does not.
C. A neutral atom has more electrons than protons, while a charged ion has more protons.
D. A neutral atom can never become a charged ion.

Answer

A neutral atom has equal protons and electrons, while a charged ion does not.

Explanation

The key difference is that a neutral atom has balanced charges, while a charged ion has an imbalance, resulting in a net charge.

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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