Question

Take moncy away from your bank account and the bank will show a negative credit. Take an electron away from an atom, however, and the atom shows up positive. Explain.

Short answer

Removing an electron from an atom results in a positive charge due to proton dominance.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Concept of Charges

In the context of subatomic particles, electrons are considered to have a negative charge. When an electron is removed from an atom, the atom loses some of its negative charge.

Atomic Structure Basics

Atoms are made up of three main types of particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons carry a positive charge, electrons carry a negative charge, and neutrons have no charge.

Effect of Removing Electrons

When an electron is removed from an atom, the balance between the negatively charged electrons and the positively charged protons is disturbed. As there are now more protons than electrons, the overall charge of the atom becomes positive.

Comparison with Financial Analogy

In a bank account, removing money increases the "negative" value (i.e., decreases the balance), leading to a negative result, such as overdraft or debt. In contrast, removing an electron from an atom increases its net positive charge rather than a deficit.

Key concepts

Subatomic Particles

Atoms, the building blocks of matter, are composed of subatomic particles. These particles are smaller components that make up the entire structure of an atom. There are three primary types of subatomic particles:

• Protons, which carry a positive charge
• Neutrons, which have no electrical charge
• Electrons, which carry a negative charge

Each of these plays a critical role in the behavior and characteristics of an atom. Protons and neutrons reside in the nucleus, the central part of the atom, while electrons orbit around the nucleus at various energy levels or shells. This arrangement is crucial for the stability and neutrality of an atom. Atoms typically have an equal number of electrons and protons, which results in a neutral overall charge.

Electrons and Protons

Electrons and protons are fundamental to understanding atomic structure due to their charges and roles within the atom. Electrons, carrying a negative charge, are incredibly small and light compared to protons. They move rapidly around the nucleus, and their arrangement in different shells contributes substantially to the atom's chemical properties and reactions with other atoms.
Protons, in contrast, are relatively heavier and reside within the nucleus. They carry a positive charge and define the element type; for instance, hydrogen has one proton, while helium has two. The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom is referred to as the atomic number, which is unique for each element. This atomic number is crucial because it determines the atom's identity. To maintain electrical neutrality, atoms usually have an equal number of electrons to balance the positive charge of the protons.

Positive Charge Concept

The concept of positive charge in atoms is deeply linked to the removal or addition of electrons rather than protons. When an atom loses one or more electrons, it results in a net positive charge, turning the atom into a positive ion, also known as a cation.

• This happens because the atom no longer has enough negative charges to balance the positive ones from protons inside the nucleus.
• For instance, if an atom loses one electron, it now has an "extra" positive charge.

This change affects how the atom interacts with other atoms and molecules. Unlike financial transactions, where subtracting money can result in a negative balance, in atomic transactions, losing electrons equals a gain in positive charge. It is crucial to understand that protons remain constant within the nucleus, and only the number of electrons fluctuates to create this net positive charge.