ACS Chemistry Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

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Which subatomic particle has a negligible mass compared to protons and neutrons?

Electron

The subatomic particle that has a negligible mass compared to protons and neutrons is the electron. Electrons are fundamental particles that reside outside the nucleus of an atom. They have a mass approximately 1/1836 that of a proton, making their mass insignificant when compared to protons and neutrons, which are collectively known as nucleons and have much larger masses.

In contrast, while muons and neutrinos also have small masses relative to protons and neutrons, they are significantly more massive than electrons. Muons are heavier cousins of electrons, and neutrinos, though very light, still possess a small but non-negligible mass. An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons (essentially a helium nucleus) and has a substantial mass in comparison to the scale of the subatomic particles discussed.

Thus, the electron stands out in this context as the subatomic particle with a negligible mass during comparisons with protons and neutrons.

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Muon

Neutrino

Alpha particle

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