Which particle is electrically neutral?

Which particle is electrically neutral?

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

Answer: (C)

Electric charge is what governs how particles interact with electric forces. Protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative charge, and neutrons have no net charge. Because neutrons carry no electric charge, they are electrically neutral. This neutrality is important in the nucleus, where neutrons can help stabilize via the strong nuclear force without adding any electrostatic repulsion. Quarks, the building blocks inside protons and neutrons, carry fractional charges, so a single quark isn’t neutral—only certain combinations of quarks yield a neutral particle like a neutron.

Electric charge is what governs how particles interact with electric forces. Protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative charge, and neutrons have no net charge. Because neutrons carry no electric charge, they are electrically neutral. This neutrality is important in the nucleus, where neutrons can help stabilize via the strong nuclear force without adding any electrostatic repulsion. Quarks, the building blocks inside protons and neutrons, carry fractional charges, so a single quark isn’t neutral—only certain combinations of quarks yield a neutral particle like a neutron.