When building an atom, pay close attention to the particles' electrical charges. Protons have a charge of +1. Electrons have a charge of -1. Neutrons are neutral, as its name implies. A stable ...

The picture shows a close-up of one carbon atom. A hydrogen atom has one proton as the nucleus and one electron in the region outside the nucleus. The electron and proton are attracted to each other.

The reaction releases a lot of heat as the ionic compound sodium chloride is formed. A sodium and chlorine atom are near each other. An electron from each atom feels the attraction from the other atom ...