Utah Esthetics Written State Practice Exam

Which particles are found in the nucleus of an atom?

1. Electrons and protons

2. Protons and neutrons

3. Electrons and neutrons

4. Aldoses and ketoses

The correct answer is: Protons and neutrons

The nucleus of an atom is composed of protons and neutrons, which are known as nucleons. Protons carry a positive charge and are responsible for defining the atomic number of an element, while neutrons are neutral particles that contribute to the mass of the atom but do not affect its charge. The presence of both protons and neutrons in the nucleus is fundamental to the structure of atoms, as they provide stability and influence the behavior of atoms during chemical reactions. Electrons, which are negatively charged particles, are not located in the nucleus; instead, they orbit around the nucleus in various energy levels or shells. Aldoses and ketoses refer to types of sugars related to carbohydrate chemistry and are not relevant to the structure of atoms. Thus, the correct identification of particles found specifically in the nucleus is protons and neutrons.