Question

How would you describe the distribution of charge in an atom?

Answer 1

To solve this we must know that an atom consists of a nucleus at the centre and the various orbitals around the nucleus. The nucleus and the orbitals contain subatomic particles like protons, electrons and neutrons which are positively charged or negatively charged or neutral.

Complete answer:
We know that an atom consists of a nucleus at the centre. The nucleus contains protons and neutrons. The protons are positively charged and the neutrons are neutral i.e. they do not have any charge.
The atom consists of various orbitals around the nucleus. The orbitals contain electrons which are negatively charged. The electrons revolve around the nucleus in these orbitals.
Thus, in an atom there are two places where charge is distributed.
Nucleus: It contains neutrons (neutral) and protons (positively charged). Thus, the nucleus is positively charged.
Orbital: It contains electrons (negatively charged). Thus, in the orbitals i.e. around the nucleus there is negative charge.
Thus, the atom has positive charge on the nucleus and negative charge around the nucleus.
The charge of protons and the charge of electrons is equal but the sign is different. Thus, the charge on the protons is reduced by the charge on the electrons and thus, the atom becomes electrically neutral in nature.

Note: If the atom gives away an electron then it becomes positively charged. This positively charged atom is known as cation. If the atom gains an electron then it becomes negatively charged. This negatively charged atom is known as anion.