Which of the following statements about electrons is true?

Study for the AS Level Chemistry Exam. Test your knowledge with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question comes with hints and explanations. Prepare confidently for your exam!

Electrons indeed have a negligible mass compared to protons and neutrons, making this statement correct. The mass of an electron is about (9.11 \times 10^{-31}) kilograms, which is roughly 1/1836 that of a proton. In context, protons and neutrons approximately have a mass of 1 atomic mass unit (amu), while electrons are much lighter and do not significantly contribute to the overall mass of an atom.

This characteristic is crucial in chemistry and atomic structure, as it allows protons and neutrons in the nucleus to dominate the mass of the atom while electrons, being much lighter, play a critical role in chemical bonding and reactions without majorly influencing the atomic mass. This understanding sets the foundation for concepts like isotopes, atomic weight calculations, and the behavior of substances in various chemical processes.

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