Which of the following subatomic particles has a positive charge and a mass of approximately 1 amu?

• A. Electron
• B. Proton
• C. Alpha particle
• D. Neutron

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the three main subatomic particles: electrons, protons, and neutrons.
2. Understand the charge of each particle: electrons have a negative charge, protons have a positive charge, and neutrons have no charge (neutral).
3. Consider the approximate mass of each particle in atomic mass units (amu): electrons have a very small mass (about 0.0005 amu), while protons and neutrons each have a mass close to 1 amu.
4. Identify the particle that has both a positive charge and a mass of approximately 1 amu, which matches the properties of the proton.
5. Note that an alpha particle is a combination of two protons and two neutrons, so it has a positive charge but a mass of about 4 amu, not 1 amu.