Why is an atom neutral?

An atom is considered neutral because it has an equal number of positively charged protons in its nucleus and negatively charged electrons surrounding the nucleus. The positive charge of the protons cancels out the negative charge of the electrons, resulting in a net charge of zero for the atom as a whole.

In more detail, the protons, which have a positive charge, are located in the nucleus at the center of the atom. The electrons, which have a negative charge, orbit the nucleus in specific energy levels or shells. The number of protons in the nucleus determines the element's identity (i.e., the atomic number), while the number of electrons usually equals the number of protons in a neutral atom, balancing out the charges.

If an atom gains or loses electrons, it becomes an ion and develops a net positive or negative charge, respectively. However, in its natural state, an atom remains neutral due to the equal number of protons and electrons.