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QuestionChemistry

Which statement describes an atomic nucleus? A. An atomic nucleus is negatively charged. B. An atomic nucleus has no electrical charge. C. An atomic nucleus consists of mostly empty space. D. An atomic nucleus contains most of the atom’s mass.
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Step 1:
I'll solve this step by step with clear reasoning:

Step 2:
: Understand the Structure of an Atom

- An atom consists of three primary subatomic particles: * Protons (positively charged) * Neutrons (no electrical charge) * Electrons (negatively charged)

Step 3:
: Analyze the Nucleus Composition

- The nucleus contains protons and neutrons - Protons have a positive charge - Neutrons have no electrical charge

Step 4:
: Evaluate Each Option

A. An atomic nucleus is negatively charged - FALSE: The nucleus contains positively charged protons B. An atomic nucleus has no electrical charge - FALSE: The nucleus has a net positive charge due to protons C. An atomic nucleus consists of mostly empty space - FALSE: The nucleus is actually very dense and compact D. An atomic nucleus contains most of the atom's mass - TRUE: Protons and neutrons contribute almost all of an atom's mass - Electrons have negligible mass compared to protons and neutrons

Final Answer

An atomic nucleus contains most of the atom's mass. Explanation: The nucleus, composed of protons and neutrons, contains approximately 99.9% of an atom's total mass, making option D the correct statement.