Which particle is outside the nucleus and orbits the nucleus?

Which particle is outside the nucleus and orbits the nucleus?

• A. Proton
• B. Neutron
• C. Positron
• D. Electron

Answer: (D)

Electrons are the particles that sit outside the nucleus and orbit around it. In an atom, the nucleus houses protons and neutrons, held together by the strong force. The electrons, being negatively charged, are attracted to the positively charged nucleus by the electromagnetic force, so they occupy regions around the nucleus called electron shells or orbitals. They are much lighter than the nucleons, and they exist outside the nucleus rather than inside. Protons and neutrons stay inside the nucleus, forming the dense core. A positron is the antimatter counterpart of an electron and isn’t part of a normal atomic structure; it would not form a stable orbit around the nucleus. So the particle that lies outside the nucleus and moves around it is the electron.

Electrons are the particles that sit outside the nucleus and orbit around it. In an atom, the nucleus houses protons and neutrons, held together by the strong force. The electrons, being negatively charged, are attracted to the positively charged nucleus by the electromagnetic force, so they occupy regions around the nucleus called electron shells or orbitals. They are much lighter than the nucleons, and they exist outside the nucleus rather than inside.

Protons and neutrons stay inside the nucleus, forming the dense core. A positron is the antimatter counterpart of an electron and isn’t part of a normal atomic structure; it would not form a stable orbit around the nucleus. So the particle that lies outside the nucleus and moves around it is the electron.