Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) G3 Practice Exam

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Prepare for the TSSA G3 Exam. Study with quizzes, flashcards, and multiple-choice questions. Each provides valuable hints and detailed explanations to ensure readiness for your exam!

Practice this question and more.

Atoms are said to be electrically neutral when they contain the same number of which two particles?

Electrons and neutrons
Protons and neutrons
Protons and electrons
Electrons and ions

The correct answer is: Protons and electrons

Atoms are considered electrically neutral when they have an equal number of protons and electrons. Protons carry a positive charge, while electrons carry a negative charge. When these two charges are balanced, their effects cancel each other out, resulting in a net charge of zero for the atom. Neutrons, on the other hand, are neutral particles found in the nucleus of an atom but do not affect the electrical charge. While protons and neutrons are both located in the nucleus and contribute to the mass of the atom, only protons and electrons determine the atom's overall charge. Therefore, for an atom to remain neutral, the number of positively charged protons must exactly equal the number of negatively charged electrons. This fundamental concept is essential in understanding atomic structure and the behavior of elements in chemical reactions.