The charge of an atom is determined by the-

explanation:

let the different atoms be x and y. each with four protons and same mass will be represented as follows.

mass number is number of protons + number of neutrons.

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since, it is given that one has a negative charge while the other is neutral. therefore, there will be increase in number of protons and the atom will be represented as follows.

according to periodic table, mass number of beryllium is 9 and it has atomic number 4 so, the atoms will be and .  

the protons and neutrons will be located inside the nucleus whereas the electrons will be revolving around the nucleus.  

they it depends on if one believes about radioactivity, they make a geiger counter beep but maybe it was going to beep anyway electronics do wierd things all the time or it was programmed to beep near certain metals.