Question
Please select the correct option(s) to create a neutral carbon atom based on the pHet image below. https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/build-an-atom/latest/build-an-atom_all.html
a Add 3 electrons
b Subtract 3 electrons
c Remove 2 neutrons
d Add 2 protons
a Add 3 electrons
b Subtract 3 electrons
c Remove 2 neutrons
d Add 2 protons
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
To create a neutral carbon atom, you need to balance the number of protons and electrons, as a neutral atom has no overall electric charge.
A carbon atom has 6 protons, which means it must have 6 electrons to be neutral.
Given the options:
a) Add 3 electrons - This would result in too many electrons (9 total), making the atom negatively charged.
b) Subtract 3 electrons - This would result in too few electrons (3 total), making the atom positively charged.
c) Remove 2 neutrons - Removing neutrons affects the isotope but does not change the charge; the atom would still remain neutral if it has the correct number of protons and electrons.
d) Add 2 protons - This would change the element to oxygen (which has 8 protons), and would also require adding electrons to remain neutral.
**Correct answer for creating a neutral carbon atom: none of these options are correct. To ensure neutrality, you need to have 6 protons and 6 electrons.**
If you're starting with a carbon atom with the appropriate protons (6), you would **not need to adjust the electrons, protons, or neutrons based on the provided options**.
A carbon atom has 6 protons, which means it must have 6 electrons to be neutral.
Given the options:
a) Add 3 electrons - This would result in too many electrons (9 total), making the atom negatively charged.
b) Subtract 3 electrons - This would result in too few electrons (3 total), making the atom positively charged.
c) Remove 2 neutrons - Removing neutrons affects the isotope but does not change the charge; the atom would still remain neutral if it has the correct number of protons and electrons.
d) Add 2 protons - This would change the element to oxygen (which has 8 protons), and would also require adding electrons to remain neutral.
**Correct answer for creating a neutral carbon atom: none of these options are correct. To ensure neutrality, you need to have 6 protons and 6 electrons.**
If you're starting with a carbon atom with the appropriate protons (6), you would **not need to adjust the electrons, protons, or neutrons based on the provided options**.