Which of the following atoms will have an overall negative charge?

Question

Which of the following atoms will have an overall negative charge??  
A. 9 protons, 10 neutrons, 9 electrons  
B. 12 protons, 13 neutrons, 10 electrons  
C. 14 protons, 14 neutrons, 10 electrons  
D. 15 protons, 16 neutrons, 18 electrons

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: (D)15 protons, 16 neutrons, 18 electrons. 
Rationale: The atom with 15 protons, 16 neutrons, and 18 electrons will have an overall negative charge.The net electrical charge of an atom or ion is determined by the balance between the number of positively charged protons in the nucleus and the number of negatively charged electrons in the surrounding cloud. The formula is: Net Charge = (Number of Protons) - (Number of Electrons). Neutrons are neutral and do not affect charge.A) 9 protons, 10 neutrons, 9 electronsNumber of protons: 9. Number of electrons: 9. The charges are balanced (9+ vs. 9-). Net charge = 9 - 9 = 0. This atom is electrically neutral.B) 12 protons, 13 neutrons, 10 electronsNumber of protons: 12. Number of electrons: 10. There are more protons than electrons. Net charge = 12 - 10 = +2. This atom has a net positive charge and is a cation.C) 14 protons, 14 neutrons, 10 electronsNumber of protons: 14. Number of electrons: 10. There is a significant excess of protons. Net charge = 14 - 10 = +4. This atom has a net positive charge.D) 15 protons, 16 neutrons, 18 electronsNumber of protons: 15. Number of electrons: 18. There are more electrons than protons. Net charge = 15 - 18 = -3. This atom has a net negative charge and is an anion.Conclusion:An atom carries a negative charge only when it possesses more electrons than protons. Evaluating each option using the fundamental charge calculation reveals that only the atom with 15 protons and 18 electrons has an electron excess, resulting in a net negative charge.

Which of the following atoms will have an overall negative charge?

A
9 protons, 10 neutrons, 9 electrons

B
12 protons, 13 neutrons, 10 electrons

C
14 protons, 14 neutrons, 10 electrons

D
15 protons, 16 neutrons, 18 electrons

The atom with 15 protons, 16 neutrons, and 18 electrons will have an overall negative charge.

Topic Flashcards

Mini Quiz

Related Questions

Which of the following atoms will have an overall negative charge?

A 9 protons, 10 neutrons, 9 electrons B 12 protons, 13 neutrons, 10 electrons C 14 protons, 14 neutrons, 10 electrons D 15 protons, 16 neutrons, 18 electrons

The atom with 15 protons, 16 neutrons, and 18 electrons will have an overall negative charge.

Topic Flashcards

Mini Quiz

Related Questions

A
9 protons, 10 neutrons, 9 electrons

B
12 protons, 13 neutrons, 10 electrons

C
14 protons, 14 neutrons, 10 electrons

D
15 protons, 16 neutrons, 18 electrons