Which particle is the positively charged nucleus component?

Which particle is the positively charged nucleus component?

• A. Electron
• B. Neutron
• C. Atom
• D. Proton

Answer: (D)

Nuclei contain protons and neutrons; protons carry positive charge while neutrons have no charge, and electrons orbit outside the nucleus with negative charge. Since the question asks for the positively charged component of the nucleus, the proton fits. Protons are located in the nucleus and give it its positive charge, while neutrons add mass but no charge and electrons are separate from the nucleus. This is also why the atomic number (the count of protons) determines an element’s identity.

Nuclei contain protons and neutrons; protons carry positive charge while neutrons have no charge, and electrons orbit outside the nucleus with negative charge. Since the question asks for the positively charged component of the nucleus, the proton fits. Protons are located in the nucleus and give it its positive charge, while neutrons add mass but no charge and electrons are separate from the nucleus. This is also why the atomic number (the count of protons) determines an element’s identity.