In a simplified model of subatomic particles, what is the relative mass of an electron compared with a proton (proton mass $=1$)?

• A. Approximately $1$
• B. Approximately $\frac{1}{1836}$
• C. Approximately $\frac{1}{2}$
• D. Approximately $1836$

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the problem asks for the relative mass of an electron compared to a proton, where the proton's mass is taken as 1 unit.
2. Recall that the proton is much heavier than the electron, so the electron's mass will be a fraction of the proton's mass.
3. Use the known approximate mass ratio: the proton's mass is about 1836 times the mass of the electron.
4. Express the electron's mass relative to the proton as a fraction: electron mass = \(\frac{1}{1836}\) \(\times\) proton mass.
5. Therefore, the relative mass of the electron compared to the proton is approximately \$\(\frac{1}{1836}\)\$ when the proton mass is set to 1.