Question

a. write a rule for an atom neutral (one with o charge)? b. write a rule for a +ion (positive ion, one with extra positive charge)?

Explanation:

• For a neutral atom, the fundamental rule is based on the balance of protons (positively - charged particles) and electrons (negatively - charged particles). Since the overall charge is zero, the number of protons must equal the number of electrons.
• For a positive ion (\(A^{+}\)), it has lost one or more electrons. The rule is that the number of protons is greater than the number of electrons. The magnitude of the positive charge (in the case of \(A^{+}\), the charge is \(+ 1\)) is equal to the number of electrons lost.

Answer:

a. In a neutral atom, the number of protons is equal to the number of electrons.
b. In a \(A^{+}\) ion (positive ion), the number of protons is greater than the number of electrons by 1.