In a neutral atom, what is the relationship between the numbers of electrons and protons?

• A. # Electrons > # Protons
• B. # Electrons < # Protons
• C. # Electrons = # Protons
• D. # Electrons = # Neutrons

Answer: (C)

In a neutral atom, the numbers of electrons and protons are equal. This keeps the overall charge at zero because protons are positively charged and electrons are negatively charged, and the charges cancel each other out when their counts match. Neutrons don’t affect charge, so they don’t influence this balance. If there were more electrons than protons, the atom would be negatively charged; if there were more protons than electrons, it would be positively charged. Thus, equality between electrons and protons is the condition for neutrality.