Question
Which atom would be neutral?
A. an oxygen atom with 9 electrons, 8 protons, and 8 neutrons
B. an oxygen atom with 8 electrons, 8 protons, and 9 neutrons
C. an oxygen atom with 4 electrons, 6 protons, and 4 neutrons
D. an oxygen atom with 16 electrons, 18 protons, and 16 neutrons
A. an oxygen atom with 9 electrons, 8 protons, and 8 neutrons
B. an oxygen atom with 8 electrons, 8 protons, and 9 neutrons
C. an oxygen atom with 4 electrons, 6 protons, and 4 neutrons
D. an oxygen atom with 16 electrons, 18 protons, and 16 neutrons
Answers
GPT-4o mini
An atom is neutral when the number of protons (which are positively charged) equals the number of electrons (which are negatively charged). Let's analyze the options:
A. 9 electrons, 8 protons, and 8 neutrons – Not neutral (more electrons than protons)
B. 8 electrons, 8 protons, and 9 neutrons – Neutral (equal number of protons and electrons)
C. 4 electrons, 6 protons, and 4 neutrons – Not neutral (more protons than electrons)
D. 16 electrons, 18 protons, and 16 neutrons – Not neutral (more protons than electrons)
The correct answer is **B. an oxygen atom with 8 electrons, 8 protons, and 9 neutrons** (it is neutral).
A. 9 electrons, 8 protons, and 8 neutrons – Not neutral (more electrons than protons)
B. 8 electrons, 8 protons, and 9 neutrons – Neutral (equal number of protons and electrons)
C. 4 electrons, 6 protons, and 4 neutrons – Not neutral (more protons than electrons)
D. 16 electrons, 18 protons, and 16 neutrons – Not neutral (more protons than electrons)
The correct answer is **B. an oxygen atom with 8 electrons, 8 protons, and 9 neutrons** (it is neutral).