Atoms have protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and electrons have electric charge, but neutrons do not. Protons are positively charged, and electrons are negatively charged. An atom has the same number of protons and electrons. Because the atom has same amounts of positively and negatively charged particles, the atom is neutral and has no electric charge. The only time an atom becomes electrically charged is if it loses or gains protons or electrons to throw off the balance. For example, we know that hydrogen only has 1 proton, 1 neutron, and 1 electron. This hydrogen atom has not electric charge. Later on, the hydrogen atom gains a proton. This would mean that there is more positive charge than negative charge in the atom. The hydrogen atom is now electrically charged.
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