Question

State whether True or False:
The number of electrons and protons are always equal in all atoms.
A.True
B.False

Answer 1

Atoms are defined as the smallest component of an element consisting of a nucleus (neutrons and protons) and one or more electrons bound to the nucleus by electrical attraction and it has the chemical properties of the elements. The protons and neutrons are present in the nucleus of an atom whereas the electrons revolve around the nucleus in definite orbitals.

Complete step by step answer:
Atom consists of three atomic particles that are the protons, which carry a positive charge, the electrons which carry a negative charge, and the neutrons which have no charge. The atomic number of an element will always be the same as the attained proton number of an element.
The electron and proton count of an atom are equal only when the atom is neutral in charge.
If the number of electrons and protons are not equal, then the atom will have a net positive or negative charge and it will be a cation or an anion respectively.
To maintain the electrically neutral the electrons and protons must balance each other.
Let us take an example of Sodium $\left( {Na} \right)$.
The atomic number of Sodium is 11 and its atomic mass is 23.
As we know the number of the proton is equal to the atomic number.
Sodium has 11 protons and 11 electrons.
${{Neutron = atomic mass - number of proton }}$
$Neutron = {{ 23 - 11 = 12}}$
Sodium has 11 neutrons
${11^ + }\,protons = {11^ - }electrons$ (neutral sodium atom)
After discussing the given statement we can say that the statement is true.

Thus, the correct option is (A).

Note:
An electron is a negatively charged subatomic particle that can be either free (not attached to any atom) or bound to the nucleus of an atom. The charge of an electron is $1.6 \times {10^{ - 19\,\,}}\,coulomb$. The mass of an electron is $9.1 \times {10^{ - 31}}\,kg$ . Protons are positively charged elementary particles which is a fundamental constituent of all atomic nuclei. It is the lightest and most stable subatomic particle, having a charge equal in magnitude to that of the electron. Mass of the proton is $1.67 \times {10^{27}}kg$.