Which argument best explains the charge of an atomic nucleus?
An atomic nucleus is positively charged because it is composed of neutrons.
An atomic nucleus is positively charged because it is composed of protons.
An atomic nucleus is negatively charged because it is composed of electrons.
An atomic nucleus is negatively charged because it is composed of neutrons.
An atomic nucleus is positively charged because it is composed of protons.
correct
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The best explanation for the charge of an atomic nucleus is that it is positively charged because it is composed of protons.
To understand this, we need to have some basic knowledge about the structure of an atom. Atoms are made up of three main particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons have a positive charge, neutrons have no charge (neutral), and electrons have a negative charge. The protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus at the center of the atom, while the electrons orbit around the nucleus in energy levels.
The overall charge of an atom is determined by the balance between the number of protons and electrons it contains. Protons have a positive charge, while electrons have a negative charge. In a neutral atom, the number of protons is equal to the number of electrons, so the positive and negative charges cancel each other out, resulting in a net charge of zero.
However, when we talk about the charge of the nucleus specifically, we are referring to the charge of the protons since the nucleus is primarily composed of protons and neutrons. Since protons have a positive charge, the overall charge of the nucleus is positive. Neutrons, on the other hand, have no charge, so they do not contribute to the overall charge of the nucleus.
Therefore, the correct argument is that an atomic nucleus is positively charged because it is composed of protons.