Question

Select from below the two statements that are true.

a. An atom is accurately described as a small central nucleus containing negatively charged protons and neutral neutrons, surrounded by a cloud of positively charged electrons.
b. An atom is accurately described as a small central nucleus containing neutral electrons and positively charged protons, surrounded by a cloud of neutrons.
c. An atom is accurately described as a small, dense central nucleus containing positively charged protons and neutral neutrons, surrounded by a cloud of light, negatively charged electrons.
d. An atom is accurately described as a small sphere containing a random arrangement of positively charged protons, negatively charged electrons and neutral neutrons.
e. The smallest atomic nucleus contains one nucleon and the largest well over 200 nucleons.
f. Heavier nuclei tend to have slightly more protons than neutrons, as the extra positive attraction is required to hold these larger nuclei together.

Answer 1

The true statements are that an atom has a nucleus containing positively charged protons and neutral neutrons, and is surrounded by a cloud of negatively charged electrons. Also, atomic nuclei can range from containing a single nucleon to having over 200 nucleons.

Step-by-step explanation:

The two statements about atomic structure that are true are:

• c. An atom is accurately described as a small, dense central nucleus containing positively charged protons and neutral neutrons, surrounded by a cloud of light, negatively charged electrons.
• e. The smallest atomic nucleus contains one nucleon and the largest well over 200 nucleons.

According to atomic theory, the nucleus of an atom is indeed small and dense, with protons and neutrons, referred to as nucleons, packed tightly together. Protons have a positive charge and the neutrons are neutral. This nucleus is surrounded by a much larger space inhabited by electrons, which are negatively charged and distributed in what can be described as a diffuse cloud.