What is the nucleus?

What is the nucleus?

• A. The outer shell of an atom
• B. A negatively charged particle
• C. The total mass of an atom
• D. The center of an atom that contains protons and neutrons

Answer: (D)

The nucleus is the center of an atom where the protons and neutrons are located. It is the tiny, dense region that contains nearly all of the atom’s mass. Protons give the nucleus a positive charge, neutrons have no charge, and electrons orbit the nucleus in the surrounding space. The outer shell is not the nucleus, and a negatively charged particle refers to an electron. The atom’s total mass is mostly due to the nucleus because electrons contribute only a tiny amount by comparison.

The nucleus is the center of an atom where the protons and neutrons are located. It is the tiny, dense region that contains nearly all of the atom’s mass. Protons give the nucleus a positive charge, neutrons have no charge, and electrons orbit the nucleus in the surrounding space. The outer shell is not the nucleus, and a negatively charged particle refers to an electron. The atom’s total mass is mostly due to the nucleus because electrons contribute only a tiny amount by comparison.