Which of the following statements about subatomic particles are false? I. Some atoms do not have any neutrons. II. Protons and neutrons reside in the nucleus. III. Some atoms do not have any protons. A) I only B) II only C) III only D) II and III E) I and II
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: C) III only
Explanation:
To determine which statement is false, let us analyze each of the three:
Statement I: Some atoms do not have any neutrons.
This statement is true. For example, the most common isotope of hydrogen, protium (¹H), has one proton and no neutrons in its nucleus. This proves that some atoms can exist without any neutrons.
Statement II: Protons and neutrons reside in the nucleus.
This statement is true. Protons and neutrons are both located in the atomic nucleus, which is the dense central part of an atom. Electrons, in contrast, move in regions around the nucleus. This is a fundamental concept in atomic structure.
Statement III: Some atoms do not have any protons.
This statement is false. The defining characteristic of an atom is the number of protons it has. The number of protons determines the atomic number and the type of element. For example, any atom with 1 proton is hydrogen, and any atom with 6 protons is carbon. If an atom did not have any protons, it would not be considered an atom of any known element. Therefore, every atom must have at least one proton.
Understanding subatomic particles helps explain atomic behavior and structure. Protons have a positive charge, neutrons are neutral, and electrons have a negative charge. Their arrangement affects the atom’s stability and its interactions in chemical reactions. The presence of protons in the nucleus is essential to define what element the atom represents, making Statement III incorrect and thus false.
Hence, the false statement is III only, which makes the correct choice C.