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A compound has no overall electrical charge because when it forms, the dynamics that allow its formation are such that there is a charge balance. This results in no overall electrical charge. Let's look at one example.

If we burn hydrogen gas (H2) in air with oxygen gas (O2), we get H2O, or water. The individual hydrogen atoms have balanced charges (a proton and an electron), and the oxygen atoms also have balanced charges (8 protons and 8 electrons). When all three atoms get together to form the water molecule, they bring all their charges with them. The result is a water molecule with balanced charges. Charges don't just "disappear" in the reaction, but are "conserved" in the resultant compound.

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Ionic compounds are composed of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions that balance each other out to achieve an overall neutral charge. This is why not every ionic compound is either positively or negatively charged. The charges of the ions within the compound combine in such a way that the overall charge of the compound is neutral.

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11mo ago
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Ionic compounds 're composed of equal amount of opposite (negative & positive) charges, when they're combined they balanced out & 're electrically neutral

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13y ago
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Q: Why isn't every ionic compound either positively or negatively charged?
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If ionic compounds are composed of charged particles why is not every ionic compound either positively or negatively charged?

Ionic compounds are made up of positively and negatively charged ions that balance each other out to form a neutral compound. The positive and negative charges of the ions combine in such a way that the overall compound has no net charge. This is achieved through the attraction between opposite charges to create a stable compound.


What is an electrically charged atom or molecule called?

An electrically charged atom or molecule is called an ion. An ion can be either positively charged (cation) or negatively charged (anion), depending on the number of electrons it has relative to its number of protons.


How do electrons interact when forming an ionic bond?

In an ionic bond, electrons are transferred from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of positively and negatively charged ions. The positively charged ion (cation) is formed by the atom that loses electrons, while the negatively charged ion (anion) is formed by the atom that gains electrons. These oppositely charged ions are then attracted to each other, forming the ionic bond.


What are atoms called when they become charged positively or negative?

In general, an atom with a charge, either positive or negative, is called an ion.A positively charged atom is called a cation and a negatively charged atom is an anion.


Do ionic always have charge?

Yes , ionic compounds always have positively charged cations and negatively charged anions. But in an ionic compound the positive and negative charges balance exactly leaving an overall charge of zero