Which statement correctly describes the nucleus of an atom?

Which statement correctly describes the nucleus of an atom?

• A. Electrons orbit the nucleus.
• B. The nucleus is made of protons and electrons.
• C. The nucleus contains protons and neutrons.
• D. Electrons are part of the nucleus.

Answer: (C)

The nucleus is the dense center of an atom that contains protons and neutrons—the particles together known as nucleons. Protons are positively charged and neutrons have no charge, and together they make up nearly all of an atom’s mass. Electrons, which are negatively charged, orbit around this central region in electron clouds or orbitals and are not part of the nucleus. Because of that, the statement that the nucleus contains protons and neutrons is the accurate description. The other ideas—electrons orbiting the nucleus, or electrons being part of the nucleus—conflict with the actual composition and arrangement of subatomic particles.

The nucleus is the dense center of an atom that contains protons and neutrons—the particles together known as nucleons. Protons are positively charged and neutrons have no charge, and together they make up nearly all of an atom’s mass. Electrons, which are negatively charged, orbit around this central region in electron clouds or orbitals and are not part of the nucleus. Because of that, the statement that the nucleus contains protons and neutrons is the accurate description. The other ideas—electrons orbiting the nucleus, or electrons being part of the nucleus—conflict with the actual composition and arrangement of subatomic particles.