Hydrogen has an atomic number of 1, meaning 1 proton, 1 neutron, and 1 electron. This creates a neutral hydrogen atom.
However, when I look at the Periodic table, and for example, try to balance two atoms such as hydrogen and oxygen, we say that Hydrogen has a charge of +1 and Oxygen has a charge of -2 (knowing this from their placement on the periodic table...)
So, therefore, we say that a water molecule is H20 to balance those charges- which I completely understand.
However, what I do NOT understand is WHY we are considering Hydrogen to have a +1 charge and oxygen to be a -2 charge when we consider BOTH atoms to have equal amounts of protons and electrons when balancing the two.
Someone please explain this to me. I dont see why we consider an atom with equal proportions of protons and neutrons however, then say that there is a + or - charge associated with it.
Thank you so much
However, when I look at the Periodic table, and for example, try to balance two atoms such as hydrogen and oxygen, we say that Hydrogen has a charge of +1 and Oxygen has a charge of -2 (knowing this from their placement on the periodic table...)
So, therefore, we say that a water molecule is H20 to balance those charges- which I completely understand.
However, what I do NOT understand is WHY we are considering Hydrogen to have a +1 charge and oxygen to be a -2 charge when we consider BOTH atoms to have equal amounts of protons and electrons when balancing the two.
Someone please explain this to me. I dont see why we consider an atom with equal proportions of protons and neutrons however, then say that there is a + or - charge associated with it.
Thank you so much
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Because a hydrogen atom only has 1 proton (no neutrons), it has a weak force and its one electron can easily be pulled away onto the shell of another atom. The ion is therefore positive.