When a proton and an electron combine to form a hydrogen atom, they do indeed become neutral. A hydrogen atom consists of a single proton in its nucleus and a single electron orbiting around the nucleus. The positive charge of the proton is exactly balanced by the negative charge of the electron, resulting in a neutral atom overall.
The proton carries a positive charge of +1 elementary charge, while the electron carries a negative charge of -1 elementary charge. The elementary charge is the fundamental unit of electric charge. When these two opposite charges come together, their magnitudes cancel each other out, resulting in a net charge of zero for the hydrogen atom.
It's important to note that during this combination, the electron occupies a specific energy level or orbital around the nucleus, maintaining a stable configuration. The electron is attracted to the proton due to their opposite charges, and the balance between their attractive force and the electron's angular momentum allows it to remain in a stable orbit around the nucleus.