Question

In response to a question, a student stated that in an atom, the number of protons is greater than the number of neutrons, which in turn is greater than the number of electrons. Do you agree with the statement? Justify your answer.

Answer 1

Hint: Atom is the smallest unit of any matter. Every atom composed of a nucleus and one or more electrons are bound to the nucleus.

Complete step by step answer:
Atoms are extremely small and every matter is made up from these atoms. Atom composed of a nucleus and nucleus is made of protons and neutrons. Electrons are revolving around the nucleus. Protons have a positive charge, electrons have negative charge and neutrons contain no charge; they are neutral in nature. If the number of protons and electrons are equal, then the atom is said to be neutral. The number of protons in the nucleus is its atomic number and the number of neutrons defines the isotope of the element.

The statement stated by the student is not true as he said number of protons > neutrons > electrons which is not possible. Number of protons can never be greater than the number of neutrons; it will always be less than or equal to the number of neutrons. Number of protons and electrons are always equal in a neutral atom.

Note: If an atom has more electrons than protons then it has an overall negative or positive charge such atoms are called ions. The electrons of an atom are attracted to the protons in an atomic nucleus by the electromagnetic force. The protons and neutrons in the nucleus are attracted to each other by the nuclear force.