How do you calculate the net charge of an atom?

To calculate the net charge of an atom, you need to know the number of protons and electrons in the atom. Here are the steps:

1. Identify the number of protons in the atom. This is equal to the atomic number of the atom, which is usually listed in the periodic table.

2. Identify the number of electrons in the atom. In a neutral atom, this is equal to the number of protons. However, if the atom is an ion, it may have gained or lost electrons.

3. Subtract the number of electrons from the number of protons. If the result is positive, the atom has a positive charge. If the result is negative, the atom has a negative charge. If the result is zero, the atom is neutral.

For example, a sodium ion (Na+) has 11 protons and 10 electrons. The net charge is 11 - 10 = +1. Therefore, the sodium ion has a net charge of +1.