Which statement correctly describes electrons?

Which statement correctly describes electrons?

• A. They are found in the nucleus.
• B. They are massless.
• C. They are negatively charged subatomic particles.
• D. They are uncharged subatomic particles.

Answer: (C)

Electrons are negatively charged subatomic particles that orbit the nucleus and have a small but nonzero mass. They are not found in the nucleus—the nucleus contains protons and neutrons. They carry a negative charge, so they are not uncharged, and they are not massless. Because of these properties, describing electrons as negatively charged subatomic particles best captures their defining characteristics.

Electrons are negatively charged subatomic particles that orbit the nucleus and have a small but nonzero mass. They are not found in the nucleus—the nucleus contains protons and neutrons. They carry a negative charge, so they are not uncharged, and they are not massless. Because of these properties, describing electrons as negatively charged subatomic particles best captures their defining characteristics.