Electroneutrality principle

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-003750",
  "term": "Electroneutrality principle",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The principle that every pure substance, solution or crystal carries zero net charge, so the charges of its cations and anions balance exactly. Pauling extended the idea to single atoms, proposing that the actual charge on each atom in a stable molecule or complex ion stays close to zero, within about one unit. It concerns real charge distribution, not the formal charges used to draw Lewis structures.",
  "subject": "Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry",
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 1111 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466051077)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/electroneutrality-principle/"
}