Question

Explain the Composition of the Nucleus.

Answer 1

COMPOSITION OF NUCLEUS

1. Electrons have a negligible mass; hence the mass of the atom mainly depends on the mass of the nucleus. The nucleus of an atom consists of two components, they are protons and neutrons.
2. Protons are positively charged. Protons repel each other because of their like charges. Hence more than one proton cannot be packed in a small volume to form a stable nucleus, unless neutrons are present.
3. Neutrons reduce the repulsive force between the positively charged protons and contribute to the force that holds the particles in the nucleus together.