Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Subject Area Practice Test

Which subatomic particle is negatively charged?

1. Proton

2. Neutron

3. Electron

4. Nucleus

The correct answer is: Electron

The electron is the subatomic particle that carries a negative charge. In atomic theory, electrons are found in the electron cloud surrounding the nucleus of an atom. Their negative charge is fundamental to the structure of atoms, as it allows for the formation of chemical bonds between atoms through the interaction of negatively charged electrons with positively charged protons found in the nucleus, which is made up of protons and neutrons. Protons, in contrast, are positively charged particles, while neutrons carry no charge at all, making them neutral. The nucleus itself is the central core of an atom, composed of protons and neutrons, but it does not have a charge like electrons do. Understanding the roles and charges of these subatomic particles is essential in various scientific fields, including chemistry and physics, as it explains the behavior of elements and compounds at a molecular level.