Answer
a. False. Not all particles in the nucleus of an atom are charged (Ex. Neutrons)
b. False. The atom is best described as mostly empty space with a small, dense nucleus and electrons in orbitals surrounding the nucleus.
c. False. The mass of the nucleus is a very large fraction of the mass of the entire atom.
d. True
e. False. The number of protons in a neutral atom must equal the number of electrons.
Work Step by Step
a. Neutrons are found in the nucleus but are neutron or are not charged.
b. By Rutherford's Gold Foil experiment, scientists have found that an atom is mostly empty space with a small, dense nucleus and electrons orbiting the nucleus. Therefore, most of the atom is empty space.
c. The atomic mass is calculated from the number of protons and neutrons, both found in the nucleus, as the mass of electrons is considered negligible. Therefore, the majority of the mass of an atom is found in the nucleus where protons and neutrons are found.
d. Most of an atom is empty space as the nucleus is an extremely dense, small center found in the atom. Therefore, the volume of the nucleus is only a very small fraction of the total volume. In fact, if the nucleus were a penny, the atom would be 1 km long.
e. In a neutral atom, the number of positively-charged protons must equal the number of negatively-charged electrons. Neutrons do not have a charge; therefore, they do not need to equal the number of electrons.
