Question

an atom containing 7 protons, 8 neutrons, and 7 electrons:
o is charge-neutral.
o cannot exist.
o is an oxygen atom.
o is an ion.

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate the charge of the atom

The charge of a proton is \(+1\), the charge of an electron is \(-1\), and neutrons have no charge.
The total charge of the atom \(Q=(+ 1)\times7+(-1)\times7+(0)\times8\)

$$
LATEXBLOCK0
$$

Step2: Analyze each option

• Option 1: Since \(Q = 0\), the atom is charge - neutral.
• Option 2: Atoms with \(7\) protons (atomic number \(Z = 7\)) are nitrogen atoms (not oxygen, which has \(Z=8\)). And an atom with equal number of protons and electrons (here \(7\) protons and \(7\) electrons) can exist.
• Option 3: Oxygen has \(8\) protons (\(Z = 8\)), so this is not an oxygen atom.
• Option 4: An ion has a non - zero charge. Since \(Q = 0\), it is not an ion.

Answer:

Is charge - neutral.