Geoffry has the atoms of an unknown element. His experiment concludes that these atoms are electrically neutral. What is the only thing he can say for certian about the atomic structure of the element with this information?
a: The number of protons and the number of neutrons are the same
b: The number of protons and the number of electrons are the same
c: The atomic number and the atomic mass are the same
d: The object belongs in the period IIVA
b
Protons have a 1+ charge; electrons have a 1- charge. If protons = electrons then the atom will be neutral. By the way, ALL ATOMS are neutral as long as they are in the free (uncombined) state.