Question

Charge on the nucleus is due to charge on its:
A. Neutrons
B. Protons
C. Electrons
D. Nucleons

Answer 1

Hint: There are three types of fundamental particles into an atom of an element. The central part of the atom consists of protons and neutrons known as nucleus. As the electrons are revolving around the nucleus, there is no contribution of electronic charge in the nucleus. Here, protons and neutrons are within the nucleus in which neutrons are electrically neutral and protons have positive charge. So, the net charge of the nucleus is only by the charge of protons.

Complete step by step solution:
Protons define the entire charge of a nucleus, only protons and neutrons are present in the nucleus of an element. Neutrons are electrically neutral i.e. having no charge. But as far as the contribution of mass of a nucleus is concerned, a neutron has nearly the same extent as the protons. The charge of protons is always positive and the neutrons have no net charge (i.e. charge zero) then the total resulting charge of the nucleus is positive. An atom consists of a positively charged nucleus surrounded by one or more negatively charged particles called electrons. The positive charge is equal to the negative charge, so that atom has no overall charge; it is electrically neutral. The charge of protons is always positive and neutrons have no net charge.

Hence, the total resulting charge of the nucleus is positive. So, the charge on the nucleus is only due to protons.

Hence, the correct option is (B).

Additional Information: 1. Electrons are negatively charged and revolve around the nucleus.
2. The magnitude of charge of protons and electrons is equal but the nature of charge is opposite. Protons are positively charged and electrons are negatively charged.

Note: Protons are positively charged while the neutron is electrically neutral. So, the net charge of the nucleus is only due to protons.