Which subatomic particle orbits the nucleus and carries a negative electric charge?

Which subatomic particle orbits the nucleus and carries a negative electric charge?

• A. Positron
• B. Proton
• C. Neutron
• D. Electron

Answer: (D)

Electrons are the negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus, forming the atom’s outer regions. They carry a -1 elementary charge and are held near the nucleus by the electrostatic attraction to the positively charged protons inside the nucleus. The nucleus itself contains protons, which are positively charged, and neutrons, which are neutral, and they stay in the center rather than orbiting. A positron is the antimatter counterpart of an electron and would have a positive charge, so it wouldn’t be the particle that orbits the nucleus in ordinary matter. Protons and neutrons reside in the nucleus, not in orbit around it. Thus, the particle that both orbits the nucleus and carries a negative charge is the electron.

Electrons are the negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus, forming the atom’s outer regions. They carry a -1 elementary charge and are held near the nucleus by the electrostatic attraction to the positively charged protons inside the nucleus. The nucleus itself contains protons, which are positively charged, and neutrons, which are neutral, and they stay in the center rather than orbiting. A positron is the antimatter counterpart of an electron and would have a positive charge, so it wouldn’t be the particle that orbits the nucleus in ordinary matter. Protons and neutrons reside in the nucleus, not in orbit around it. Thus, the particle that both orbits the nucleus and carries a negative charge is the electron.