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What atom has only one proton?
| a. hydrogen | c. a free radical |
| b. an isotope | d. a radioisotope |
Introduction:
An atom is defined as the smallest unit of a substance. Atoms contain protons, electrons, and neutrons. Elements are pure substances that are composed of atoms. Molecules are formed by the interaction of atoms with the help of a chemical bond.
Answer to Problem 1SA
Correct answer:
The hydrogen atom has only one proton. Hence, the correct answer is option a.
Explanation of Solution
Reason for correct answer:
Option a. is given as “hydrogen.”
Atoms are defined as the basic units of matter. An atom is composed of a central core called nucleus. Protons are the positively charged particles in an atom that occupy the nucleus; neutrons are the uncharged particles present in the nucleus; and electrons are the negatively charged particles that move around the nucleus. An element is defined as a substance that is made up of one type of atoms. Hydrogen is the simplest element as its atom has a nucleus consisting of one proton.
Reason for incorrect answer:
Option b. is given as, “an isotope.”
Isotopes refer to the variants of the same element that contain the same number of protons, but different number of neutrons. However, hydrogen is the simplest element that contains one proton. This indicates that the isotopes of different elements have a different number of protons. Hence, option b. is incorrect.
Option c. is given as, “a free radical.”
Atoms that contain unpaired electrons are known as free radicals. Free radicals are highly unstable. They may force electrons upon other atoms or drag electrons away from them. This property makes them dangerous. This indicates that free radicals do not contain proton. Hence, option c. is incorrect.
Option d. is given as, “a radioisotope.”
Radioisotopes are the isotopes containing unstable nucleus that emits radiation on decay. During the decay of carbon 14, one neutron splits into a proton and an electron. The electron is emitted as radiations. This indicates that the radioisotopes of different elements contain different number of protons. Hence, option d. is incorrect.
Hence, the options b., c., and d. are incorrect.
Hydrogen is the simplest element that contains only one proton in the nucleus. Thus, the correct answer is option a.
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Chapter 2 Solutions
BIOLOGY:CONCEPTS+APPL.(LOOSELEAF)
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