What is the overall charge of an atom?

The overall charge of an atom is determined by the balance between the number of protons in the nucleus and the number of electrons in the electron cloud surrounding the nucleus.

Protons are positively charged particles, while electrons are negatively charged particles. In a neutral atom, the number of protons equals the number of electrons, resulting in no overall charge.

If an atom gains or loses electrons, it becomes an ion with a net positive or negative charge. For example, if an atom loses an electron, it becomes a positively charged ion (cation), and if it gains an electron, it becomes a negatively charged ion (anion).

The overall charge of an atom can affect its chemical behavior and reactivity, as ions are more likely to form chemical bonds with other atoms to achieve a stable electron configuration.