A proton has what charge?

A proton has what charge?

• A. -1.60 x 10^-19 C
• B. +1.60 x 10^-19 C
• C. 0 C
• D. +1.60 x 10^-18 C

Answer: (B)

Protons carry a positive elementary charge, meaning their charge is the smallest unit of charge available, with the same magnitude as the electron’s but opposite in sign. The magnitude is about 1.60 × 10^-19 coulombs, and the sign is positive for the proton. That’s why the correct value is +1.60 × 10^-19 C. The other options either give the electron’s negative charge, zero for a neutral particle, or a magnitude ten times too large, which doesn’t match the fundamental unit of charge.

Protons carry a positive elementary charge, meaning their charge is the smallest unit of charge available, with the same magnitude as the electron’s but opposite in sign. The magnitude is about 1.60 × 10^-19 coulombs, and the sign is positive for the proton. That’s why the correct value is +1.60 × 10^-19 C. The other options either give the electron’s negative charge, zero for a neutral particle, or a magnitude ten times too large, which doesn’t match the fundamental unit of charge.