Which statement best describes the distribution of charge in an atom?

• A. All charges are located only in the nucleus of the atom.
• B. The positive charge is concentrated in the nucleus, while the negative charge is distributed around the nucleus in the electron cloud.
• C. Both positive and negative charges are evenly distributed throughout the entire atom.
• D. The negative charge is concentrated in the nucleus, and the positive charge is found in the electron cloud.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the basic structure of an atom: it consists of a nucleus and an electron cloud surrounding it.
2. Understand that the nucleus contains protons and neutrons; protons carry a positive charge, while neutrons are neutral.
3. Recognize that electrons, which carry a negative charge, are found in the electron cloud surrounding the nucleus.
4. Therefore, the positive charge is concentrated in the nucleus due to the protons, and the negative charge is distributed around the nucleus in the electron cloud.
5. This distribution explains why atoms are electrically neutral overall, as the positive and negative charges balance each other.