Which items are listed as parts of an atom?

• A. Nucleus, Protons, Neutrons, Electrons
• B. Nucleus, Protons, Electrons
• C. Neutrons, Protons
• D. Nucleus, Protons, Neutrons, Electrons, Photons

Answer: (A)

In an atom, the central region called the nucleus contains protons and neutrons, while electrons surround the nucleus in orbits or a cloud. Protons are positively charged, neutrons have no charge, and electrons are negatively charged; together they make up the atom’s structure. Photons are particles of light and are not a component of an atom, though atoms can emit or absorb photons. So the complete set of parts is the nucleus, protons, neutrons, and electrons. The other lists miss neutrons, miss electrons, or incorrectly include photons, which aren’t atoms’ parts.