#55 Understanding Subatomic Particles

What is the charge of a proton?

• Negative

• Positive

• Neutral

• Variable

Answer explanation

A proton has a positive charge.

Julian, Emily, and Jaylen are working on a model of an atom for their school science fair. They know that protons are part of the atom's nucleus, but they're unsure about the other subatomic particle that shares the same space. Can you help them identify it?

• Electrons

• Neutrons

• Positrons

• Neutrinos

Answer explanation

Neutrons are the subatomic particles found in the nucleus of an atom along with protons. They have no charge and help stabilize the nucleus.

What is the relative mass of an electron compared to a proton?

• The same

• Much less

• Much more

• Half

Answer explanation

The relative mass of an electron is much less compared to a proton. Electrons are approximately 1/1836th the mass of a proton.

Alessandra, Julian, and Isaiah are working on a science project about the structure of an atom in their school. They discovered that in an atom, electrons move around the nucleus in regions known as:

• Nuclei

• Proton fields

• Electron clouds

• Neutron zones

Answer explanation

Electrons move around the nucleus in regions called electron clouds.

Which subatomic particle determines the chemical properties of an atom?

• Proton

• Neutron

• Electron

• All of the above

Answer explanation

The electron determines the chemical properties of an atom because it is involved in bonding and determines the atom's reactivity.

What is the charge of a neutron?

• Positive

• Negative

• Neutral

• Variable

Answer explanation

A neutron has a charge of neutral, which means it has no charge. This is the correct choice.

Mason is studying chemistry and he comes across an atom. He wonders how the number of protons in the atom's nucleus would affect the atom. What would you tell him?

• It determines the atom's mass.

• It determines the atom's size.

• It determines the atom's chemical element.

• It has no effect.

Answer explanation

The number of protons in an atom's nucleus determines the atom's chemical element.

Noah is studying the behavior of electrons in his physics class. He learns that when an electron gains energy, what happens?

• It moves closer to the nucleus.

• It moves to a higher energy level.

• It becomes a proton.

• It leaves the atom.

Answer explanation

When an electron gains energy, it moves to a higher energy level.

During a science project at school, Sophie, Nikolas, and Jaylen were building a model of an atom. They all agreed that in their model, the subatomic particle represented with the smallest bead is _____.

Answer explanation

The electron is the subatomic particle with the least mass.

The number of protons in an atom is also known as the (a)   .

• Atomic number

• Mass number

• Neutron number

• Electron number

Answer explanation

The number of protons in an atom is also known as the atomic number.