Question

Which of the following has a negative charge? A. electron C. nucleus B. proton D. neutron

Short answer

The electron has a negative charge.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Particles

There are four main subatomic particles mentioned: electron, proton, neutron, and nucleus. Each of these has a specific electrical charge or lack thereof.

Identifying the Charge of Each Particle

- Electrons are negatively charged particles. - Protons are positively charged particles. - Neutrons have no charge (neutral). - The nucleus of an atom is made up of protons and neutrons, thus having an overall positive charge due to the presence of protons.

Selecting the Negative Charge

Reviewing the charges: Electrons have a negative charge, protons have a positive charge, and neutrons are neutral. Hence, the particle with a negative charge is the electron.

Key concepts

Electron Charge

Electrons are fundamental components of an atom, mainly residing outside the atomic nucleus in regions called electron shells or clouds. The charge associated with an electron is negative, and it is typically represented as \(-1\) or sometimes \(-e\), where \(e\) stands for elementary charge, a constant value approximately equal to \(1.602 \, \times 10^{-19}\) coulombs. This negative charge is crucial because it balances the positive charge of protons within the nucleus. Without electrons, an atom cannot exist stably.

• Electrons provide a crucial balance in any atom.
• Their charge is essential for creating chemical bonds with other atoms.

The flow of electrons is what we commonly refer to as electricity. Understanding the significance of electron charge helps us grasp fundamental electrical and chemical processes that occur in our daily lives.

Atomic Structure

Atoms form the basic building blocks of matter, encompassing a complex yet fascinating structure. Atoms consist of three primary subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons.

• Protons and neutrons are mostly found in the nucleus.
• Electrons move around the nucleus in defined regions known as shell or orbital.

The nucleus is tightly packed with protons and neutrons. Protons possess a positive charge, whereas neutrons are neutral. These particles contribute to the atom's mass significantly, whereas electrons, being much lighter, contribute negligibly to atomic mass but play a vital role in chemical interactions. Outside the nucleus, electrons are arranged in orbits or shells. Electrons in an atom are not fixed; they tend to occupy lower energy levels closer to the nucleus, a principle known as the arrangement of electrons in shells or energy levels. The understanding of atomic structure is foundational in laying down concepts for understanding chemical bonding, interaction between elements, and ultimately, the composition and feature of substances around us.

Particle Charges

Subatomic particles have charges that influence how they interact with each other and with the world around them. These charges determine the behavior of atoms and molecules.

• Electrons have a negative charge.
• Protons carry a positive charge.
• Neutrons are electrically neutral.

One notable aspect of particle charge is the attraction and repulsion principle: like charges repel each other, while opposite charges attract. This principle fundamentally affects how atoms bond. For example, in an atom, the negatively charged electrons are attracted to the positively charged protons, resulting in a stable structure. Additionally, particle charges are instrumental when forming ionic bonds, where electrons are transferred in order to maintain charge balance. Understanding the distribution of charges across these basic particles provides insight into larger principles of physics and chemistry, explaining a range of interactions from magnetism to chemical reactions.