electrically neutral

(noun)

A net charge of zero, which occurs when an atom or molecule/compound has no surplus or deficit of electrons.

Related Terms

Examples of electrically neutral in the following topics:

  • Formulas of Ionic Compounds

    • An ionic formula must satisfy the octet rule for the constituent atoms and electric neutrality for the whole compound.
    • Second, the cations and anions are combined in a way that produces a electrically neutral compound.
    • Its ionic formula is written as CaCl2, the neutral combination of these ions.
    • To create a neutral compound, CaCl2, two 1- chloride ions were needed to balance out the 2+ charge from calcium.

  • Formulas of Ionic Compounds

    • Ionic formulas must satisfy the noble gas configurations for the constituent ions and the product compound must be electrically neutral.
    • The ionic composition is then defined by the requirement that the resulting compound be electrically neutral overall.
    • Therefore, for the resulting compound to be neutral, two bromine anions must combine with one magnesium cation to form magnesium bromide (MgBr2).

  • Molecules

    • Molecules are electrically neutral compounds made of multiple atoms bound together by chemical bonds.
    • Molecules are neutral and carry no charge; this property distinguishes them from polyatomic ions, such as nitrate (NO3-).

  • Electric Charge in the Atom

    • Of these three subatomic particle types, two (protons and electrons) carry a net electric charge, while neutrons are neutral and have no net charge.
    • The electrons cloud patterns are extremely complex and is of no importance to the discussion of electric charge in the atom.
    • If a neutral atom gains an electron, it becomes negative.
    • If a neutral atom loses an electron, it becomes positive.
    • Current is what flows through electrical wires and powers electronics items, from light bulbs to televisions.

  • Conductors and Fields in Static Equilibrium

    • In the presence of charge or an electric field, the charges in a conductor will redistribute until they reach static equilibrium.
    • If conductors are exposed to charge or an electric field, their internal charges will rearrange rapidly.
    • For example, if a neutral conductor comes into contact with a rod containing a negative charge, some of that negative charge will transfer to the conductor at the point of contact.
    • This occurrence is similar to that observed in a Faraday cage, which is an enclosure made of a conducting material that shields the inside from an external electric charge or field or shields the outside from an internal electric charge or field.
    • Describe behavior of charges in a conductor in the presence of charge or an electric field and under static equilibrium

  • Safety Precautions in the Household

    • A thermal hazard occurs in cases of electrical overheating.
    • A shock hazard occurs when an electric current passes through a person.
    • There are many systems and devices that prevent electrical hazards .
    • Neutral wires may be blue, black, or white.
    • Identify major risks associated with the electrical circuits and strategies to mitigate those risks

  • Spherical Distribution of Charge

    • An electric field is a vector field which associates to each point of the space the Coulomb force that will experience a test unity charge.
    • Given the electric field, the strength and direction of a force F on a quantity charge q in an electric field E is determined by the electric field.
    • This image shows the outer electron cloud of a neutral water molecule.
    • The attraction between the two opposing charges forms a neutral water molecule.
    • Schematic representation of the outer electron cloud of a neutral water molecule.

  • Electrostatic Shielding

    • Electrostatic shielding is the phenomenon that occurs when a Faraday cage blocks the effects of an electric field.
    • Electrostatic shielding is the phenomenon that is observed when a Faraday cage operates to block the effects of an electric field.
    • This type of cage was first invented by Michael Faraday in 1836, and can block external static and non-static electric fields.
    • When an external electric field operates on a Faraday cage, the charges within the cage (which are mobile, as the cage is a conductor) rearrange themselves to directly counteract the field and thus "shield" the interior of the cage from the external field
    • If it is grounded, however, excess charges on the exterior of the cage will go to the ground, leaving the exterior wall of neutral charge.

  • Ions

    • If an atom has the same number of protons and electrons, it is electronically neutral.
    • However, if the total number of electrons does not equal the number of protons, the atom has a net electrical charge.
    • The positive electric charge of a proton is equal in magnitude to the negative charge of an electron; therefore, the net electric charge of an ion is equal to its number of protons minus its number of electrons.
    • They are repelled by like electric charges and are attracted to opposite charges.
    • Ions can be formed by ionization, which is the process of a neutral atom losing or gaining electrons.

  • Predicting the Products of Electrolysis

    • It uses a direct electric current (DC) to drive an otherwise non-spontaneous chemical reaction.
    • Two electrodes: an electrical conductor that provides the physical interface between the electrical circuit providing the energy and the electrolyte.
    • Oxidation of ions or neutral molecules occurs at the anode, and reduction of ions or neutral molecules occurs at the cathode.
    • Neutral molecules can also react at either electrode.
    • We just saw electric current used to split CuSO4 into its component ions.