Question

For elements to maintain a neutral charge, which two particles must have equal numbers?

Answer 1

protons and electrons 

Answer 2

Explanation:

An atom holds three sub-atomic particles and these are protons, neutrons and electrons.

Protons have a positive charge, neutrons have no charge and electrons have a negative charge.

Also, when an atom or element is neutral in nature then it means it contains same number of protons and electrons.

For example, sodium element is a neutral atom as it contains 11 protons and 11 electrons.

Thus, we can conclude that for elements to maintain a neutral charge, protons and electrons are the two particles that must have equal numbers.