Physics 2019 JAMB Past Questions - Question 4: Which of the following are true of atoms?

Correct Answer

D

Explanation

Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter and have the following characteristics:

1. Atoms are the smallest units of an element that retain the chemical properties of that element.
2. Atoms consist of a nucleus, which contains protons and neutrons, and electrons that orbit around the nucleus.
3. The nucleus of an atom carries a positive charge due to the presence of protons, while neutrons have no charge.
4. Electrons, which have a negative charge, occupy specific energy levels or orbitals around the nucleus.
5. Atoms are electrically neutral, meaning they have an equal number of protons and electrons.
6. Different elements are characterized by the number of protons in their nuclei, known as the atomic number.
7. Atoms can combine with other atoms through chemical bonds to form molecules or compounds.
8. Atoms are incredibly small, with typical sizes on the order of picometers (10^-12 meters).

These are some of the fundamental properties of atoms, but there is much more to learn about their behavior and interactions in the field of atomic physics.