Which of the following does the nucleus of an atom consists of? A. Protons and neutrons B. Protons and electrons C. Electrons D. Protons

The correct answer is: A. Protons and neutrons.

The nucleus of an atom is made up of protons and neutrons, which are collectively called nucleons. The protons have a positive charge, the neutrons have no charge, and the electrons have a negative charge. The number of protons in the nucleus is called the atomic number, and it determines the chemical

element of the atom. For example, all atoms with 6 protons in their nucleus are carbon atoms. The number of neutrons in the nucleus is called the neutron number, and it can vary for atoms of the same element. Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons are called isotopes.

The protons and neutrons in the nucleus are held together by the strong nuclear force, which is much stronger than the electromagnetic force that would otherwise cause the protons to repel each other. The electrons are not part of the nucleus, but they are attracted to the protons in the nucleus by the electromagnetic force. The electrons are arranged in shells around the nucleus, and each shell can hold a certain number of electrons. The number of electrons in the outermost shell determines the chemical properties of the atom.