Which particle is positively charged?

Which particle is positively charged?

• A. Neutrons
• B. Electrons
• C. Protons
• D. Quarks

Answer: (C)

Charge is what tells us whether a particle attracts or repels electric forces. The particle that is positively charged is the proton. Protons have a positive elementary charge, while electrons carry a negative charge and neutrons are neutral. Quarks are even smaller constituents inside protons and neutrons; they have fractional charges, with up quarks at +2/3 and down quarks at -1/3. A proton is made of two up quarks and one down quark, which sums to +1, giving its positive charge. This is why protons are positively charged, electrons are negatively charged, and neutrons have no net charge.

Charge is what tells us whether a particle attracts or repels electric forces. The particle that is positively charged is the proton. Protons have a positive elementary charge, while electrons carry a negative charge and neutrons are neutral. Quarks are even smaller constituents inside protons and neutrons; they have fractional charges, with up quarks at +2/3 and down quarks at -1/3. A proton is made of two up quarks and one down quark, which sums to +1, giving its positive charge. This is why protons are positively charged, electrons are negatively charged, and neutrons have no net charge.