Science Related

Review Science related questions and content

Which component of an atom has relatively little mass that is considered negligible when calculating the atomic mass number?

  • A. Neutron
  • B. Proton
  • C. Electron
  • D. Quark
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Electron. Electrons have significantly less mass compared to protons and neutrons, making their contribution to the atomic mass number negligible. When calculating the atomic mass, the mass of electrons is typically not factored in due to their minimal mass compared to the other components of the atom. While protons and neutrons contribute significantly to the atomic mass number, electrons, due to their much smaller mass, are considered to have a negligible impact on the overall calculation. Therefore, electrons can be disregarded when determining the atomic mass of an atom.