Question
What is a proton ? What are its characteristics?
Solution
A proton is the lightest positive particle. It is obtained when the gas inside the cathode rays tube is hydrogen.
Characteristics of Proton :
(i) A proton is one of the fundamental particles of the atom and is present in the nucleus of all atoms.
(ii) Charge: The charge on a proton is equal in magnitude but opposite in sign to that of an electron. Thus, it possesses a unit positive charge or + 1.6 x 10-19 coulombs.
(iii) The mass of a proton is equal to that of a hydrogen atom, i.e., 1.672 x 10-27 kg which is about 1837 times the mass of the electron.
