Question
The model attached shows atoms that are attracted to each other and repelled by each other. Which best describes an atom that is repelled by a positively charged atom?
A. The atom has fewer neutrons than protons.
B. The atom has more neutrons than protons.
C. The atom has fewer electrons than protons.
D. The atom has more electrons than protons.
A. The atom has fewer neutrons than protons.
B. The atom has more neutrons than protons.
C. The atom has fewer electrons than protons.
D. The atom has more electrons than protons.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct answer is **C. The atom has fewer electrons than protons.**
Here's the reasoning:
Atoms are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons carry a positive charge, while electrons carry a negative charge. Atoms interact with each other based on these charges.
- If an atom is repelled by a positively charged atom, it is likely that the atom in question has an overall positive charge as well, meaning it has fewer electrons than protons. In other words, if there are not enough negative charges (electrons) to balance out the positive charges (protons), the atom will have a net positive charge and will be repelled by another positive charge.
Option A (fewer neutrons than protons) does not directly relate to the charge and repulsion involved. Option B (more neutrons than protons) is irrelevant to the charge of the atom. Option D (more electrons than protons) would result in an overall negative charge, which would attract the positively charged atom, not repel it.
Thus, the best description of an atom that is repelled by a positively charged atom is that it has fewer electrons than protons.
Here's the reasoning:
Atoms are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons carry a positive charge, while electrons carry a negative charge. Atoms interact with each other based on these charges.
- If an atom is repelled by a positively charged atom, it is likely that the atom in question has an overall positive charge as well, meaning it has fewer electrons than protons. In other words, if there are not enough negative charges (electrons) to balance out the positive charges (protons), the atom will have a net positive charge and will be repelled by another positive charge.
Option A (fewer neutrons than protons) does not directly relate to the charge and repulsion involved. Option B (more neutrons than protons) is irrelevant to the charge of the atom. Option D (more electrons than protons) would result in an overall negative charge, which would attract the positively charged atom, not repel it.
Thus, the best description of an atom that is repelled by a positively charged atom is that it has fewer electrons than protons.