Which subatomic particle is neutral and resides in the nucleus?

Which subatomic particle is neutral and resides in the nucleus?

• A. Proton
• B. Electron
• C. Positron
• D. Neutron

Answer: (D)

The nucleus houses nucleons, which are protons and neutrons. The particle that is neutral and resides in the nucleus is the neutron. Protons carry a positive charge, while electrons orbit outside the nucleus and carry negative charge. A positron is the positively charged antimatter counterpart of the electron and is not what’s found in a normal nucleus. Neutrons have no electrical charge, so they don’t affect the atom’s overall charge, yet they add mass and, through the strong nuclear force, help stabilize the nucleus by counteracting the repulsion between protons. This stabilizing role is especially important as you increase the number of protons in heavier nuclei.

The nucleus houses nucleons, which are protons and neutrons. The particle that is neutral and resides in the nucleus is the neutron. Protons carry a positive charge, while electrons orbit outside the nucleus and carry negative charge. A positron is the positively charged antimatter counterpart of the electron and is not what’s found in a normal nucleus. Neutrons have no electrical charge, so they don’t affect the atom’s overall charge, yet they add mass and, through the strong nuclear force, help stabilize the nucleus by counteracting the repulsion between protons. This stabilizing role is especially important as you increase the number of protons in heavier nuclei.