Electrons are held in an atom by attraction to which of the following?

• A. Other electrons
• B. Protons in the nucleus
• C. The electron cloud
• D. Neutrons in the nucleus

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that electrons in an atom are negatively charged particles.
2. Recall that protons, which are positively charged particles, reside in the nucleus of the atom.
3. Recognize that opposite charges attract each other according to Coulomb's law, so electrons are attracted to the positively charged protons in the nucleus.
4. Note that other electrons repel each other because they have the same negative charge, so they do not hold electrons in place.
5. Conclude that the primary force holding electrons in an atom is the electrostatic attraction between electrons and protons in the nucleus.