Which statement describes an electron's electric charge?

Which statement describes an electron's electric charge?

• A. Negative charge
• B. Mass approximately 1 amu
• C. Located in the nucleus
• D. Positive charge

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that electrons carry a negative electric charge. An electron has a charge of -e (about -1.602 x 10^-19 coulombs), much smaller in mass than protons or neutrons—roughly 0.00055 amu—so it is not massed as 1 amu. Also, electrons are found outside the nucleus, in electron clouds or orbitals, not inside the nucleus where protons and neutrons reside. Because of these facts, describing the electron’s electric charge as negative makes the most accurate sense. The other statements describe properties of protons (positive charge) or general mass/location traits not characteristic of electrons.

The key idea is that electrons carry a negative electric charge. An electron has a charge of -e (about -1.602 x 10^-19 coulombs), much smaller in mass than protons or neutrons—roughly 0.00055 amu—so it is not massed as 1 amu. Also, electrons are found outside the nucleus, in electron clouds or orbitals, not inside the nucleus where protons and neutrons reside. Because of these facts, describing the electron’s electric charge as negative makes the most accurate sense. The other statements describe properties of protons (positive charge) or general mass/location traits not characteristic of electrons.