Pennsylvania Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What do positive and negative charges of particles affect in an atom?

1. The mass of the atom

2. The chemical properties of the atom

3. The atomic number

4. The energy levels

The correct answer is: The chemical properties of the atom

The positive and negative charges of particles play a critical role in determining the chemical properties of an atom. In an atom, protons carry a positive charge and are found in the nucleus, while electrons carry a negative charge and orbit around the nucleus. The interaction between these charged particles affects how an atom behaves chemically, including how it bonds with other atoms. The number of electrons and the arrangement of these electrons in their respective energy levels greatly influence the reactivity of an atom, including how it interacts and combines with other elements to form compounds. For instance, atoms with similar electron configurations often exhibit similar chemical properties. In contrast, the other options relate to different aspects of atomic structure. The mass of the atom is mostly determined by the number of protons and neutrons, while atomic number specifically refers to the number of protons in the nucleus, which defines the element itself. Energy levels pertain to the arrangement and number of electrons, but do not directly represent how these charges affect the atom’s reactivity or bonding behavior. Thus, understanding the role of positive and negative charges is essential for grasping why the chemical properties are impacted.