Electrons have electric charge of -1 and the number of electrons in an atom is equal to the number of protons. ... Heavier atoms tend to have more neutrons than protons, but the number of electrons in an atom is always equal to the number of protons. So an atom as a whole is electrically neutral.

How is an atom electrically neutral?

An atom is electrically neutral because the overall charge of an atom is zero. The atoms are made of three subatomic particles called protons, electrons and neutrons. ... The charge of both protons and electrons are of equal strength, therefore atoms having an equal number of protons and electrons are electrically neutral.

Why an atom is electrically neutral short answer?

When an atom has an equal number of electrons and protons, it has an equal number of negative electric charges (the electrons) and positive electric charges (the protons). The total electric charge of the atom is therefore zero and the atom is said to be neutral.