Question

A student asked, "Since the positive nucleus of the atom is hidden inside a negative electron cloud, why doesn't all matter appear to be negatively charged?" Explain to the student the flaw in this reasoning.

Short answer

The atom becomes neutral because of the polarization of both the positive and the negative charges. The electron is centrally located in the nucleus. However, if the electron is centrally positioned, the proton field will be canceled by the electrons and it will create its own field. Thus, the atom appears as a neutral atom rather than a negatively charged atom.

Step-by-step solution

Significance of the polarization

The polarization is described as the property of the electromagnetic radiations, that helps to relate specifically the magnitude and the direction of an electric field.

Explanation the student the flaw in this reasoning

The statement states that when a positive nucleus mainly hides inside a negative cloud of the electron, then the positive electron should also appear negatively but it works differently as in the atom, the nucleus and the electron cloud move to each other. However, the atom becomes neutral because of the polarization of both the positive and the negative charges. The electron is centrally located in the nucleus. However, if the electron is centrally positioned, the proton field will be canceled by the electrons and it will create its own field. Hence, the atom appears as a neutral atom rather than a negatively charged atom.

Thus, the atom becomes neutral because of the polarization of both the positive and the negative charges. The electron is centrally located in the nucleus. However, if the electron is centrally positioned, the proton field will be canceled by the electrons and it will create its own field. Hence, the atom appears as a neutral atom rather than a negatively charged atom.