Which of the following statements about a neutral atom is correct? The

Analyze the question: We need the true statement about a neutral atom.

Concept: An atom has three main particles:

• Protons: positive charge (+1), in the nucleus
• Neutrons: no charge, in the nucleus
• Electrons: negative charge (−1), orbiting the nucleus

An atom is neutral when its total positive charge equals its total negative charge. Since each proton carries +1 and each electron carries −1, this means:

Number of protons = Number of electrons

Checking each option:

• A. Core is composed of electrons and protons. Wrong. The core (nucleus) contains protons and neutrons. Electrons are outside the nucleus.
• B. Number of electrons equals number of neutrons. Wrong. Neutron number varies between atoms and isotopes, and it has no link to neutrality. For example, carbon-14 has 6 electrons but 8 neutrons.
• C. Number of neutrons equals number of protons. Wrong. This is true only for some atoms (e.g., helium-4, carbon-12), but not in general. Hydrogen-1 has 1 proton and 0 neutrons, and sodium-23 has 11 protons and 12 neutrons.
• D. Number of protons equals number of electrons. Correct. This is exactly what makes the atom electrically neutral.

Answer: D

Exam tip: Remember "Neutral = Protons equal Electrons." The neutrons are "neutral" in charge but they do not decide whether the atom is neutral. The nucleus always holds protons and neutrons ("Plus No charge").