Question

Determine whether each of the following statements is true or false. If false, correct the statement to make it true: (a) The nucleus has most of the mass and comprises most of the volume of an atom; (b) every atom of a given element has the same number of protons; (c) the number of electrons in an atom equals the number of neutrons in the atom; (d) the protons in the nucleus of the helium atom are held together by a force called the strong nuclear force.

Short answer

(a) False. Correct statement: The nucleus has most of the mass but occupies only a small fraction of the volume of an atom. (b) True. (c) False. Correct statement: The number of electrons in an atom equals the number of protons in the atom. (d) True.

Step-by-step solution

Statement (a) analysis

The nucleus has most of the mass and comprises most of the volume of an atom. To determine whether this statement is true or false, we need to consider the size and mass of the nucleus compared to the rest of the atom.

Correction (a)

False. The nucleus indeed has most of the mass of an atom, but it occupies a very small fraction of the atom's total volume. The correct statement should be: The nucleus has most of the mass but occupies only a small fraction of the volume of an atom.

Statement (b) analysis

Every atom of a given element has the same number of protons. This statement pertains to the definition of an element, which is based on the number of protons present in the atom.

Correction (b)

True. Every atom of a given element has the same number of protons. No correction is needed.

Statement (c) analysis

The number of electrons in an atom equals the number of neutrons in the atom. To verify this statement, we need to consider the connection between the number of electrons, protons, and neutrons in an atom.

Correction (c)

False. The number of electrons in an atom is equal to the number of protons, not neutrons. The correct statement should be: The number of electrons in an atom equals the number of protons in the atom.

Statement (d) analysis

The protons in the nucleus of the helium atom are held together by a force called the strong nuclear force. This statement refers to the force responsible for holding the protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

Correction (d)

True. The protons in the nucleus of a helium atom are indeed held together by a force called the strong nuclear force. No correction is needed.