Which statement best describes the structure of an atom?

• A. An atom consists of a dense nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons in orbitals.
• B. An atom is made up of only electrons and protons distributed evenly throughout its volume.
• C. An atom is a solid sphere composed entirely of protons.
• D. An atom contains only neutrons and electrons, with no central nucleus.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the basic structure of an atom, which includes a central nucleus and electrons surrounding it.
2. Understand that the nucleus contains protons and neutrons, which are densely packed together.
3. Recognize that electrons are not evenly distributed throughout the atom but occupy specific regions called orbitals around the nucleus.
4. Eliminate incorrect statements: atoms are not solid spheres, and they do contain neutrons in the nucleus, so options lacking these features are incorrect.
5. Conclude that the best description is that an atom consists of a dense nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons in orbitals.