When an atom has an equal number of electrons and protons, it has an equal number of negative electric charges (the electrons) and positive electric charges (the protons). The total electric charge of the atom is therefore zero and the atom is said to be neutral.

An atom is electrically neutral because the number of negatively charged electrons outside the nucleus equals the number of positively charged protons inside the nucleus.

Atoms are neutral if they have the same number of charged protons and electrons, balancing positive and negative charges. As long as the numbers of electron and protons are the same, the charges will balance. Sometimes atoms are more stable though when they are not perfectly electrically neutral.

A proton and an electron have an equal amount but an opposite type of charge. Thus, if an atom contains equal numbers of protons and electrons, the atom is described as being electrically neutral.

An atom consists of a positively charged nucleus, surrounded by one or more negatively charged particles called electrons. The positive charges equal the negative charges, so the atom has no overall charge; it is electrically neutral.

A magnesium atom must lose two electrons to have the same number electrons as an atom of the previous noble gas, neon. Thus, a magnesium atom will form a cation with two fewer electrons than protons and a charge of 2+. The symbol for the ion is Mg2+, and it is called a magnesium ion.

+2

The inert pair effect in the formation of ionic bonds For example, to form a lead(II) ion, lead loses its two 6p electrons, but the 6s electrons are left unchanged, an “inert pair”. Ionization energies usually decrease down a group as electrons get further from the nucleus.

Carbon is a tetravalent atom so its valency is 4. Formal charge of CO is zero.

These charges cancel to give an overall neutral molecule. What we are really doing when we assign formal charge is comparing how many electrons the atom brought with it from the periodic table to how many it has now.

CO

Cobalt is a chemical element with symbol Co and atomic number 27.

Carbon dioxide, which is mildly acidic, is a waste product of the processing (metabolism) of oxygen and nutrients (which all cells need) and, as such, is constantly produced by cells. It then passes from the cells into the blood. The blood carries carbon dioxide to the lungs, where it is exhaled.

28.0

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas. A molecule of carbon monoxide (CO) contains one carbon atom and one oxygen atom. This image shows four representations chemists use for carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide is a compound of 1 atom of Carbon and 1 atom of Oxygen. Element (or chemical element) is the simplest form of matter we find in nature that can’t be broken down using any chemical means. Carbon monoxide can be broken down to Carbon and Oxygen. Thus, it is not an element.

The carbon monoxide in your body leaves through your lungs when you breathe out (exhale), but there is a delay in eliminating carbon monoxide. It takes about a full day for carbon monoxide to leave your body.

When you inhale (breathe in), air enters your lungs and oxygen from the air moves from your lungs to your blood. At the same time, carbon dioxide, a waste gas, moves from your blood to the lungs and is exhaled (breathe out). This process is called gas exchange and is essential to life.

When we exhale, we breathe out less oxygen but more carbon dioxide than we inhale. The carbon we breathe out as carbon dioxide comes from the carbon in the food we eat. The carbon dioxide is dissolved in the blood, carried to the lungs by the circulation, and breathed out.

The half-life of carboxyhemoglobin in fresh air is approximately 4 hours. To completely flush the carbon monoxide from the body requires several hours, valuable time when additional damage can occur.

Mild carbon monoxide poisoning causes headache, nausea, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, vomiting, drowsiness, and poor coordination. Most people who develop mild carbon monoxide poisoning recover quickly when moved into fresh air.

There are three things that make carbon monoxide extremely dangerous: 1) The molecules of carbon monoxide are so small, they can easily travel through drywall; 2) Carbon monoxide doesn’t sink or rise – it mixes easily with the air inside a home; 3) It is an odorless gas, so without an alarm to notify you that it is in …

As CO levels increase and remain above 70 ppm, symptoms become more noticeable and can include headache, fatigue and nausea. At sustained CO concentrations above 150 to 200 ppm, disorientation, unconsciousness, and death are possible.

Levels of carbon monoxide exposure range from low to dangerous: Low level: 50 PPM and less. High level: Greater than 101 PPM if no one is experiencing symptoms. Dangerous level: Greater than 101 PPM if someone is experiencing symptoms.

The continuous digital display indicates the level of carbon monoxide (if any) the unit is sensing. Note: If the unit does not sense any CO, the display reading is zero (0). In most homes, the unit reads “0” all the time. A reading of “0” is expected under normal conditions, and is good.

0-9 ppm CO: no health risk; normal CO levels in air. 10-29 ppm CO: problems over long-term exposure; chronic problems such as headaches, nausea.

50 ppm

Average levels in homes without gas stoves vary from 0.5 to 5 parts per million (ppm). Levels near properly adjusted gas stoves are often 5 to 15 ppm and those near poorly adjusted stoves may be 30 ppm or higher.

40,000 ppm