AQA · GCSE · Chemistry
Course version: 8462 · Version from Sept 2018
The relative electrical charges of the particles in atoms are: In an atom,…
Full specification wording
Relative electrical charges of subatomic particles: The relative electrical charges of the particles in atoms are: In an atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus. Atoms have no overall electrical charge.
Atoms contain protons, neutrons and electrons.
Checked against the AQA 8462 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 5
- 2 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Atoms contain protons, neutrons and electrons. Protons have a relative charge of 1⁺, electrons have a relative charge of 1⁻, and neutrons have no charge. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons, so the positive and negative charges balance exactly. For example, a carbon atom has six protons and six electrons, giving six positive charges and six negative charges, so the overall charge is zero. If the numbers were unequal, the atom would become a charged ion. This balance explains why atoms are electrically neutral and why the nucleus, although positive, does not make the whole atom charged.
What earns the marks
- State the relative charge of a proton as 1⁺, an electron as 1⁻ and a neutron as 0.
- State that in an atom the number of electrons equals the number of protons.
- Explain that equal numbers of protons and electrons balance positive and negative charges.
- Conclude that an atom has no overall electrical charge because the charges cancel.
- Apply the idea to a named atom, for example carbon with six protons and six electrons, to show the balance.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Writing that atoms have no charge because they contain no charged particles.
Put it right by stating they contain equal numbers of protons and electrons whose charges cancel.
Giving the neutron a charge.
Put it right by stating the neutron is neutral with relative charge 0.
Saying the number of neutrons equals the number of protons in every atom.
Put it right by stating it is the number of electrons that equals the number of protons in a neutral atom.
Exam tips
- Use the relative charge values 1⁺, 1⁻ and 0 when describing subatomic particles.
- To justify neutrality, state that the number of protons equals the number of electrons and the charges cancel.
- If asked why an atom is neutral, avoid mentioning neutrons as the reason; neutrons have no charge and do not affect the balance.
Try the lesson
The start of the Relative electrical charges of subatomic particles: The relative electrical charges of the particles in atoms are: In an atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus. Atoms have no overall electrical charge. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What is the relative electrical charge of a proton?
Listen
Atoms contain protons, neutrons and electrons. Protons have a relative charge of 1⁺, electrons have a relative charge of 1⁻, and neutrons have no charge. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons, so the positive and negative charges balance exactly. For example, a carbon atom has six protons and six electrons, giving six positive charges and six negative charges, so the overall charge is zero. If the numbers were unequal, the atom would become a charged ion. This balance explains why atoms are electrically neutral and why the nucleus, although positive, does not make the whole atom charged. A strong answer earns marks for these points. State the relative charge of a proton as 1⁺, an electron as 1⁻ and a neutron as 0. State that in an atom the number of electrons equals the number of protons. Explain that equal numbers of protons and electrons balance positive and negative charges. Conclude that an atom has no overall electrical charge because the charges cancel. A common slip: Writing that atoms have no charge because they contain no charged particles. Instead, stating they contain equal numbers of protons and electrons whose charges cancel. Exam tip: Use the relative charge values 1⁺, 1⁻ and 0 when describing subatomic particles.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Neutral atoms
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Charge balance
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See every definition
- Neutral atoms
- In an atom the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus, so the positive and negative charges balance exactly.
- Charge balance
- Equal numbers of protons and electrons balance positive and negative charges, so an atom has no overall electrical charge.
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