Question

Name the particles which can be added to the nucleus of an atom without varying its chemical properties.
A. neutrons
B. electrons
C. protons
D. none of these

Answer 1

Hint: Chemical properties of a particle are dependent on the number of electrons and their configuration. And the number of protons should be equal to the number of electrons in order to keep the total charge of an atom to be zero. This will help you in answering this question.

Complete step by step answer:
Neutrons are the subatomic particles which form the largest one. Even though they are not having any charge on them, they still hold a lot of weight. This charge less neutrons held together by a strong nuclear force with protons is making up the dense nucleus of the atom. If this kind of neutron is added to the nucleus of an atom, the chemical properties of the atom will remain similar without any change because the atomic number of the particle will be the same. But if any other charged particles like electron, proton or alpha particles are added, then their atomic number varies and so the chemical properties also change.
So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Note: Electrons are considered to be the negatively charged particles in an atom. These total numbers of electrons of an atom together produce a negative charge. This is balancing the positive charge of the protons in the atomic nucleus. Electrons are found to be negligibly small compared to all of the other elements in an atom. A proton is defined as a subatomic particle having a positive charge. It is generally seen in the atomic nucleus. The protons inside the nucleus of an atom help to bind the nucleus together. They can attract negatively charged electrons also, and will keep them in orbit around the nucleus of the atom. The number of protons in the nucleus of the atom can detect which chemical element it will be.