Which object has equal numbers of protons and electrons?

Which object has equal numbers of protons and electrons?

• A. Positively Charged Object
• B. Negatively Charged Object
• C. Neutral Object
• D. Grounding

Answer: (C)

Charge balance is what determines the net electric charge. Protons are positive and electrons are negative, so when their numbers are equal, their electric effects cancel and the object has no overall charge. That means the object is neutral. If there are more protons than electrons, the object becomes positively charged; if there are more electrons than protons, it becomes negatively charged. Grounding can equalize charge by allowing electrons to flow to or from the Earth, but the situation described—equal numbers of protons and electrons—results in a neutral object.

Charge balance is what determines the net electric charge. Protons are positive and electrons are negative, so when their numbers are equal, their electric effects cancel and the object has no overall charge. That means the object is neutral. If there are more protons than electrons, the object becomes positively charged; if there are more electrons than protons, it becomes negatively charged. Grounding can equalize charge by allowing electrons to flow to or from the Earth, but the situation described—equal numbers of protons and electrons—results in a neutral object.