Question

Nucleus of molecule is made up of which fundamental constituents? (a) only Electron (c) Electron and Proton (b) Proton and neutron (d) Electron and neutron

Short answer

The correct answer is (b) Proton and neutron, as the nucleus of a molecule contains protons and neutrons.

Step-by-step solution

Recall atomic structure

: An atom is made up of three basic particles: electrons, protons, and neutrons. Electrons have a negative electric charge, while protons have a positive charge. Neutrons, on the other hand, are electrically neutral. The nucleus of an atom is located at its center and contains both protons and neutrons. Electrons are found outside the nucleus in atomic orbitals.

Determine correct answer

: Since the nucleus of a molecule contains protons and neutrons, the correct answer is (b) Proton and neutron.

Key concepts

Atomic Structure

Atoms, the building blocks of matter, form the foundation of everything around us. Understanding the atomic structure is essential to grasp how matter behaves. In an atom, there are three fundamental particles that play distinct roles:

• Electrons: These are small particles with a negative charge. They orbit the nucleus in areas called atomic orbitals. These patterns of orbit are determined by energy levels.
• Protons: Bearing a positive charge, protons reside within the atom's nucleus, the dense core at the center of the atom.
• Neutrons: These are neutral particles, meaning they carry no charge, and they also reside in the nucleus alongside protons.

In the atomic structure, the number of protons in the nucleus defines the element's identity, while electrons interact with one another in different atoms to form bonds, leading to the formation of molecules. The overall charge of an atom remains neutral because the positive and negative charges balance each other out.

Protons and Neutrons

Protons and neutrons are key components of the atomic nucleus, which is the atom's core and the place where most of its mass is concentrated.

• Protons are positively charged and determine the atomic number, which defines the type of element. For example, an atom with one proton is hydrogen, while one with two protons is helium.
• Neutrons, on the other hand, do not carry an electric charge. Their role is to stabilize the nucleus, which is why elements can exist in forms called isotopes with varying numbers of neutrons.

The balance of these particles is crucial for the stability of an atom. An imbalance between protons and neutrons can lead to radioactive decay, which is the process of the nucleus breaking down, releasing particles and energy.

Fundamental Particles

When we delve deeper into the realm of subatomic particles, we find that protons and neutrons are themselves not fundamental particles but are composed of even smaller entities. These are known as quarks.

• Quarks are elementary particles that combine in groups of three to form protons and neutrons. There are six types of quarks, but only two types, "up" and "down," are essential to form these nucleons.
• Electrons are one of the true fundamental particles. Unlike protons and neutrons, electrons are not composed of quarks or other smaller particles.

Overall, while atoms were once thought to be the smallest units of matter, the discovery of these subatomic structures revealed a whole new layer of complexity. Understanding these fundamental particles is crucial in fields like nuclear physics and quantum mechanics, where scientists explore the very fabric of the universe.