How does the mass of an electron compare to the mass of a proton or neutron?

• A. The mass of an electron is about the same as the mass of a proton or neutron.
• B. The mass of an electron is exactly half the mass of a proton or neutron.
• C. The mass of an electron is much smaller than the mass of a proton or neutron.
• D. The mass of an electron is much larger than the mass of a proton or neutron.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the approximate masses of subatomic particles: the mass of a proton or neutron is roughly 1 atomic mass unit (amu), which is about \$1.67 \times 10^{-27}$ kilograms.
2. The mass of an electron is significantly smaller, approximately \$9.11 \times 10^{-31}$ kilograms.
3. Compare these values by calculating the ratio of the electron's mass to the proton's or neutron's mass: \(\frac{m_{electron}}{m_{proton}} \approx \frac{9.11 \times 10^{-31}}{1.67 \times 10^{-27}}\).
4. This ratio shows that the electron's mass is about 1/1836 the mass of a proton or neutron, indicating it is much smaller.
5. Therefore, the correct conceptual understanding is that the mass of an electron is much smaller than the mass of a proton or neutron.