What are the possible charges on a particle?

• A. Only Positive
• B. Positive, negative or neutral
• C. Neutral Only
• D. Only Negative

Answer: (B)

Charges come in three signs: positive, negative, or zero. This reflects whether a particle has more protons than electrons, more electrons than protons, or an equal number of each. Protons carry a positive charge, electrons carry a negative charge, and neutrons have no net charge. When atoms or molecules gain or lose electrons, they become charged ions with a net positive or negative charge; if they keep the same number of protons and electrons, they are neutral. Since a particle can have any of these three states, the possible charges are positive, negative, or neutral.