Which statement best describes the composition of the nucleus?

Study for the Dental Radiology Foundation Chain and Physics Test. Enhance your skills with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Prepare for your success!

Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes the composition of the nucleus?

The nucleus is made up of protons and neutrons, together called nucleons, which form the dense core of the atom and carry the positive charge and most of the mass. Each of these nucleons is itself made from quarks bound by gluons. So, at a deeper level, quarks are the inside constituents of protons and neutrons, but the nucleus itself is described as a collection of protons and neutrons. Saying the nucleus is made of quarks only misses the fact that the observable nuclear building blocks are the nucleons. Electrons reside outside the nucleus, in orbitals, so they don’t form part of the nucleus itself.

The nucleus is made up of protons and neutrons, together called nucleons, which form the dense core of the atom and carry the positive charge and most of the mass. Each of these nucleons is itself made from quarks bound by gluons. So, at a deeper level, quarks are the inside constituents of protons and neutrons, but the nucleus itself is described as a collection of protons and neutrons.

Saying the nucleus is made of quarks only misses the fact that the observable nuclear building blocks are the nucleons. Electrons reside outside the nucleus, in orbitals, so they don’t form part of the nucleus itself.

More practice questions