Students are completing a table about a particular subatomic particle that helps make up an atom.

\begin{tabular}{|l|l|l|}
\hline
Mass [tex]$($[/tex]amu[tex]$)$[/tex] & Location & Charge \\
\hline
[tex]$1 / 2,000$[/tex] & & Has a charge \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

What best explains how they should complete the table?

A. with "Inside the nucleus," because the particle is a proton
B. with "Inside the nucleus," because the particle is a neutron
C. with "Outside of the nucleus," because the particle is a proton
D. with "Outside of the nucleus," because the particle is an electron



Answer :

Let's carefully analyze the information provided and determine the correct way to complete the table.

The given value for the mass of the subatomic particle is [tex]\( \frac{1}{2,000} \)[/tex] amu (atomic mass unit). This is a crucial clue about the identity of the particle.

1. Mass Analysis:
- The mass of [tex]\( \frac{1}{2,000} \)[/tex] amu is extremely small. Protons and neutrons each have a mass close to 1 amu. Neither protons nor neutrons have such a small mass.
- Electrons, on the other hand, have a much smaller mass compared to protons and neutrons. The mass of an electron is approximately [tex]\( \frac{1}{2,000} \)[/tex] amu.

2. Location:
- Protons and neutrons are located inside the nucleus of an atom.
- Electrons are found outside of the nucleus, in the electron cloud or orbitals.

3. Charge:
- A proton has a positive charge.
- A neutron has no charge (neutral).
- An electron has a negative charge.

The table indicates that the particle has a charge, so it cannot be a neutron. It also specifies a mass of [tex]\( \frac{1}{2,000} \)[/tex] amu, which matches the mass of an electron. Given these properties, the particle must be an electron.

Thus, the correct way to complete the table is:
- Location: "Outside of the nucleus" since electrons are found outside the nucleus.
- Explanation: The particle is an electron.

Therefore, the best explanation is:
- Outside of the nucleus, because the particle is an electron