Which particle is negatively charged?

Which particle is negatively charged?

• A. Protons
• B. Neutrons
• C. Electrons
• D. Positrons

Answer: (C)

Think of the signs of electric charge carried by common subatomic particles. The electron has a negative charge, the proton has a positive charge, and the neutron is electrically neutral. Positrons are the antiparticles of electrons and carry a positive charge. Since only the electron has a negative charge among these options, it is the negatively charged particle. This difference in charge explains why electrons are attracted to positively charged nuclei and why they participate in chemical bonding, while protons stay in the nucleus and neutrons add mass without charge.

Think of the signs of electric charge carried by common subatomic particles. The electron has a negative charge, the proton has a positive charge, and the neutron is electrically neutral. Positrons are the antiparticles of electrons and carry a positive charge. Since only the electron has a negative charge among these options, it is the negatively charged particle. This difference in charge explains why electrons are attracted to positively charged nuclei and why they participate in chemical bonding, while protons stay in the nucleus and neutrons add mass without charge.