Which statement describes the distribution of charge in an atom? (1) A positively charged nucleus is surrounded by one or more n
egatively charged electrons. (2) A positively charged nucleus is surrounded by one or more positively charged electrons. (3) A neutral nucleus is surrounded by one or more negatively charged electrons. (4) A neutral nucleus is surrounded by one or more positively charged electrons.
(1) A positively charged nucleus is surrounded by one or more negatively charged electrons.
Explanation:
An atom is the smallest indivisible part of an element which retains all the chemical properties of that element.
Atoms are usually made up of a nucleus which consists of positively charged proton(s) and neutral neutron(s) and surrounded by an equal amount of negatively charged electrons located at a distance, r called its atomic radius.
The number of positively charged protons equals the number of negatively charged electrons, thus making the atom electrically neutral.
So, the distribution of charge in an atom is thus one in which a positively charged nucleus is surrounded by one or more negatively charged electrons.
Explanation: when a neutral atom loses an electron or gains a positive charge electron, it becomes a positive ion (positively charged) and when an neutral atom gains an electronic charge or losses a positive charge electron, it becomes a negative ion (negatively charged).
