Which list contains the three particles found in an atom?

Which list contains the three particles found in an atom?

• A. Quark, Lepton, Gluon
• B. Proton, Neutron, Electron
• C. Atom, Nucleus, Electron
• D. Proton, Electron, Neutron

Answer: (B)

Atoms are made of three main subatomic particles: protons, neutrons and electrons. Protons and neutrons stay in the tiny nucleus at the center, while electrons whizz around outside the nucleus in regions called electron shells. This combination—proton, neutron and electron—are the fundamental constituents you learn about when describing what an atom is built from. The other options either mention particles not listed as the atom’s basic components (like quarks or gluons) or mix in terms that aren’t particles (like “Atom” or “Nucleus”). If you see the same three particles in a different order, you’re still naming the same building blocks of an atom.

Atoms are made of three main subatomic particles: protons, neutrons and electrons. Protons and neutrons stay in the tiny nucleus at the center, while electrons whizz around outside the nucleus in regions called electron shells. This combination—proton, neutron and electron—are the fundamental constituents you learn about when describing what an atom is built from. The other options either mention particles not listed as the atom’s basic components (like quarks or gluons) or mix in terms that aren’t particles (like “Atom” or “Nucleus”). If you see the same three particles in a different order, you’re still naming the same building blocks of an atom.