Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What are the three types of subatomic particles?

1. Protons, photons, and electrons

2. Protons, neutrons, and electrons

3. Protons, mesons, and electrons

4. Neutrons, neutrinos, and electrons

The correct answer is: Protons, neutrons, and electrons

The three fundamental types of subatomic particles are protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom and are responsible for the atomic number, which defines the element. Neutrons are neutral particles, also located in the nucleus, and they contribute to the atomic mass without affecting the charge of the atom. Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus in various energy levels and are responsible for chemical bonding and reactions. This combination of protons, neutrons, and electrons forms the foundation of atomic structure, essential for understanding chemistry and physics. Other particle combinations, such as photons or neutrinos, represent different concepts in physics and play roles in other interactions, but they do not classify as the primary subatomic constituents of atoms.