1 WardsAuto 2014 e-Dealer 100 (PDF) 2  WardsAuto 2015 e-Dealer 100 (PDF) 3  WardsAuto 2013 e-Dealer 100 (PDF) 4  WardsAuto 2015 Megadealer 100 (PDF)  WardsAuto 2015 e-Dealer 100.
Diagram showing field lines and equipotentials around an electron, a negatively charged particle. In an electrically neutral atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons (which are positively charged), resulting in a net zero overall charge. Charge is the fundamental property of forms of matter that exhibit electrostatic attraction or repulsion in the presence of other matter.
A neutral sodium atom, for example, contains 11 protons and 11 electrons. By removing an electron from this atom we get a positively charged Na+ ion that has a net charge of +1. Atoms that gain extra electrons become negatively charged. A neutral chlorine atom, for example, contains 17 protons and 17 electrons. By adding one more electron we get a negatively charged Cl- ion with a net charge of -1. The gain or loss of electrons by an atom to form negative or positive ions has an enormous impact on the chemical and physical properties of the atom.