The electrical charge of atom is equal to -4.
An atom consists of protons, electrons and neutrons as its elementary particles of which:
When an atom has its number of protons equal to the number of electrons, the total charge on the atom is zero and it is termed as a neutral atom.
Given:
Number of protons : [tex]n_p = 16[/tex]
Number of neutrons : [tex]n_n = 14[/tex]
Number of electrons : [tex]n_e = 20[/tex]
Since, [tex]n_p \neq n_e[/tex], the atom is not neutral and has some electrical charge present.
Number of protons = Number of positive charges = + 16
Number of electrons = Number of negative charges = - 20
Since,
Total charge = (Number of positive charges) + (Number of negative charges)
[tex]= [( + 16 ) + ( - 20)] = (-4)[/tex]
OR
Total charge = Number of protons - Number of electrons
[tex]n_p-n_e = 16 - 20 = -4[/tex]
Therefore, the electrical charge of atom is equal to (-4).
