A simulation at the nuclear level has nuclei with 20 protons and 100 neutrons. Alpha particles can get very close to the nuclei. When the nuclei have 100 protons and 20 neutrons, the alpha particles cannot get as close to the nuclei. The nucleus is the same size in both scenarios. Why does the motion of the alpha particles differ?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Protons attract the particles, while neutrons do not.
Protons attract the particles, while neutrons do not.

Protons repel the particles, while neutrons do not.
Protons repel the particles, while neutrons do not.

Neutrons repel the particles, while protons do not.
Neutrons repel the particles, while protons do not.

Neutrons attract the particles, while protons do not.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

Protons repel the particles, while neutrons do not.

In a nucleus, protons are positively charged, and they repel other positively charged particles (like alpha particles, which consist of 2 protons and 2 neutrons). Neutrons, being electrically neutral, do not exert a repulsive force on the alpha particles. In the scenario with 100 protons, there is significant repulsion that prevents the alpha particles from getting close to the nucleus. In contrast, with 20 protons and 100 neutrons, the repulsive forces are weaker, allowing the alpha particles to approach more closely.