Which statement best describes an electron?

• A. A positively charged subatomic particle located in the nucleus
• B. A neutral subatomic particle located in the nucleus
• C. A negatively charged subatomic particle found in the electron cloud outside the nucleus
• D. A negatively charged particle that accounts for nearly all of an atom’s mass

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the basic structure of an atom, which consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, and electrons located outside the nucleus in the electron cloud.
2. Understand the charge of each subatomic particle: protons are positively charged, neutrons are neutral (no charge), and electrons are negatively charged.
3. Identify the location of each particle: protons and neutrons are in the nucleus, while electrons are found in the electron cloud surrounding the nucleus.
4. Consider the mass of each particle: protons and neutrons have significant mass, whereas electrons have very little mass compared to them.
5. Based on these points, determine that an electron is a negatively charged subatomic particle found in the electron cloud outside the nucleus, and it does not account for nearly all of an atom’s mass.