166,265 views
3 votes
3 votes
Which of the following statements is correct? (1) A proton is positively charged; a neutron is negatively charged. (2) A proton is negatively charged; a neutron is positively charged. (3) A proton is positively charged; an electron is negatively charged. (4) A proton is negatively charged; an electron is positively charged.

User Nitin Dandriyal
by
3.1k points

2 Answers

17 votes
17 votes

Final answer:

Statement (3) is correct: A proton is positively charged, while an electron is negatively charged. Neutrons are neutral and together with protons, form the nucleus of an atom. Electrons have a much smaller mass and orbit the nucleus.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement regarding the electrical charges of subatomic particles is: (3) A proton is positively charged; an electron is negatively charged. Protons have a positive charge and a mass of about 1.0073 atomic mass units (amu), whereas electrons have a negative charge and a much smaller mass of about 0.00055 amu. Neutrons are electrically neutral with no charge and a mass slightly higher than that of a proton, around 1.0087 amu.

In summary, protons and electrons have electrical charges that are identical in magnitude but opposite in sign, with relative charges of +1 and -1 respectively. Neutrons, on the other hand, are electrically neutral and have no charge. When a neutral atom has an equal number of protons and electrons, their charges cancel each other out, resulting in no net charge.

It is important to note that neutrons and protons constitute the bulk of the atom's mass, with the mass of a proton or neutron being about 1836 times greater than the mass of an electron. This basic understanding of subatomic particles is crucial for many concepts in chemistry and physics.

User Silversonic
by
2.7k points
15 votes
15 votes

Answer:

3

Step-by-step explanation:

A proton has a positive charge + while an electron has a negative charge -

Example of a proton (+2)

Example of an electron (-3)

User Matthew Lymer
by
2.9k points