Students are completing a table about a particular subatomic particle that helps make up an atom.

Question

A 3-column table with 2 rows. The first row has entries Mass (a m u), location, charge. The second row has entries 1, nothing, nothing.

What best explains how they should complete the table?

with “Inside the nucleus,” because the particle is a proton
with “Inside the nucleus,” because the particle is a neutron
with “Outside the nucleus,” because the particle is a proton
with “Outside the nucleus,” because the particle is an electron

Answer 1

To complete the table correctly, the best option is:

with “Inside the nucleus,” because the particle is a proton.

Here's why:

1. The mass of 1 atomic mass unit (amu) corresponds to a proton (1 amu is a common measure of the mass of a proton).
2. Protons are located inside the nucleus of an atom.
3. Protons have a positive charge, but the table entry for charge is listed as "nothing," which seems to indicate that this entry is still to be filled in. However, the context strongly suggests that the particle is a proton based on its mass and location.

If they were referring to a neutron (which has a mass of about 1 amu and is also found inside the nucleus), they would normally have the charge entry as "nothing" as neutrons are neutral. However, given the mass provided (1 amu) and the context of the question, it's reasonable to infer that the particle in question is a proton.

If the row for charge were "positive," then it would unambiguously indicate a proton. If it is indeed being categorized as having "nothing" for charge, it suggests that this might be the student's confusion between a proton and a neutron. However, given the choices, linking the entry to a proton's characteristics aligns best with the information provided.