Where is the electron located in an atom?

• A. In the center of the atom
• B. In the electron cloud surrounding the nucleus
• C. Inside the nucleus with protons and neutrons
• D. Attached to the surface of the nucleus

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the structure of an atom: it consists of a nucleus at the center, which contains protons and neutrons, and electrons that are found outside the nucleus.
2. Recall that electrons are negatively charged particles that do not reside inside the nucleus but instead exist in regions around the nucleus called electron clouds or orbitals.
3. The electron cloud is a probabilistic area where electrons are likely to be found, rather than a fixed path or location.
4. Recognize that the nucleus contains almost all the mass of the atom, but electrons occupy the space around it, defining the atom's size and chemical behavior.
5. Therefore, the electron is located in the electron cloud surrounding the nucleus, not inside or attached to the nucleus.