Key Differences Between Electron and Proton An electron is a negatively charged component of an atom whereas the proton is a positively charged body. The electrons are present outside the nucleus in the orbiting shells. The polarity of electrons is negative while that of the proton is positive.
Q. What is a proton and its function?
Function in the Atom The protons inside an atom’s nucleus help bind the nucleus together. They also attract the negatively charged electrons, and keep them in orbit around the nucleus. The number of protons in an atom’s nucleus determines which chemical element it is.
Table of Contents
- Q. What is a proton and its function?
- Q. Is proton a positive charge?
- Q. Why do protons and electrons not attract each other?
- Q. Are protons attracted to neutrons?
- Q. Do electrons determine the atom’s size?
- Q. Which element is most essential for life?
- Q. How is atomic size determined?
- Q. What factors affect atomic size?
Q. Is proton a positive charge?
Protons have a positive charge. Electrons have a negative charge. The charge on the proton and electron are exactly the same size but opposite. Neutrons have no charge.
Q. Why do protons and electrons not attract each other?
Protons and electrons stick to each other as much as they can, but kinetic energy and quantum mechanics keep them from holding still. Protons and electrons are attracted to each other because the positive electric charge of the proton is attracted to the negative charge of the electron.
Q. Are protons attracted to neutrons?
An atom contains protons, neutrons, and electrons. The positively-charged protons repel each other and aren’t electrically attracted or repelled to the neutral neutrons, so you may wonder how the atomic nucleus sticks together and why protons don’t fly off.
Q. Do electrons determine the atom’s size?
Most of an atom’s volume is filled with matter. Electrons determine the atom’s size. With electrons on the surface, atoms repel one another when they come too close. Thus, electrons determine the space that an atom occupies.
Q. Which element is most essential for life?
Carbon
Q. How is atomic size determined?
Atomic radius is determined as the distance between the nuclei of two identical atoms bonded together. The atomic radius of atoms generally decreases from left to right across a period. The atomic radius of atoms generally increases from top to bottom within a group.
Q. What factors affect atomic size?
The actual trends that are observed with atomic size have to do with three factors. These factors are: the number of protons in the nucleus (called the nuclear charge). the number of energy levels holding electrons and the number of electrons in the outer energy level.
