Pennsylvania Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What subatomic particle carries a positive electrical charge?

1. Neutron

2. Electron

3. Proton

4. Ion

The correct answer is: Proton

The subatomic particle that carries a positive electrical charge is the proton. Protons are one of the three primary subatomic particles, along with neutrons and electrons. In the atomic structure, protons are located within the nucleus of an atom, and their positive charge plays a crucial role in determining the atom's identity and its interactions with other atoms. The number of protons in an atom defines what element it is, as it corresponds to the atomic number of that element. Neutrons, on the other hand, carry no electrical charge, which is why they are neutral. Electrons have a negative charge, and they orbit the nucleus. Ions are not subatomic particles themselves; rather, they refer to atoms or molecules that have gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net charge. Therefore, the proton stands out in this question as the only positively charged particle among the given options.