Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Subject Area Practice Test

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Prepare for the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations. Enhance your readiness with comprehensive questions and answers, accessible hints, and detailed explanations. Ace your test and set the stage for a successful teaching career in Florida!

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Which statement accurately describes the mass of an electron?

It is significantly greater than the mass of a proton.
It is equal to the mass of a proton.
It is negligible compared to the mass of a neutron.
It has a mass equivalent to one-third of a proton.

The correct answer is: It is negligible compared to the mass of a neutron.

The statement that describes the mass of an electron accurately reflects that it is negligible compared to the mass of a neutron. The mass of an electron is approximately 9.11 x 10^-31 kilograms, which is significantly smaller than the mass of both protons and neutrons. A proton has a mass of about 1.67 x 10^-27 kilograms, while a neutron is slightly more massive at about 1.68 x 10^-27 kilograms. Since both protons and neutrons are several hundred times more massive than an electron, it underscores why the electron's mass can be considered negligible in comparison. In scientific contexts, this understanding is important when considering atomic structure and behavior, as the comparatively massive protons and neutrons dominate the mass of an atom, while electrons occupy space around the nucleus and contribute minimally to the atom's overall mass. This concept is foundational in chemistry and physics, impacting how we interpret atomic interactions and bonding.