* Compounds are electrically neutral: When elements form a compound, they share or transfer electrons to achieve a stable configuration. This process results in a neutral overall charge for the compound.

* Ionic vs. Covalent Bonding:

* Ionic Compounds: One element loses electrons (becomes positively charged, cation) and the other gains electrons (becomes negatively charged, anion). The charges balance out, resulting in a neutral compound.

* Covalent Compounds: Elements share electrons to achieve a stable configuration. Since electrons are shared, there's no net gain or loss of electrons, leading to a neutral compound.

Example:

* Sodium Chloride (NaCl): Sodium (Na) loses an electron to become Na+, and chlorine (Cl) gains an electron to become Cl-. The charges balance (+1 and -1) resulting in a neutral compound.

In summary: The overall charge of a compound formed by two elements is always zero (neutral), not +1.