**Correct Option: C. Proton** ### Detailed Explanation: 1. **Understanding Subatomic Particles**: - Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter and consist of three main types of subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. - Protons and neutrons are located in the nucleus (the central part) of the atom, while electrons orbit around the nucleus. 2. **Charge of Subatomic Particles**: - **Protons**: These particles carry a positive charge (+1). Their presence in the nucleus contributes to the overall positive charge of the nucleus. - **Neutrons**: Neutrons are neutral particles, meaning they have no charge (0). They also reside in the nucleus and help stabilize it by offsetting the repulsive forces between positively charged protons. - **Electrons**: Electrons carry a negative charge (-1) and are found in the electron cloud surrounding the nucleus. They are much lighter than protons and neutrons. 3. **Identifying the Correct Answer**: - The question specifically asks for the subatomic particle that is located in the nucleus and carries a positive charge. - Since protons are the only particles that fit both criteria (located in the nucleus and positively charged), the correct answer is **C. Proton**. ### Why Other Options Are Incorrect: - **A. Electron**: - Electrons are not located in the nucleus; they orbit around it in various energy levels or shells. Additionally, they carry a negative charge, which does not meet the criteria of the question. - **B. Neutron**: - Neutrons are indeed located in the nucleus, but they do not carry any charge (neutral). Therefore, they do not fulfill the requirement of having a positive charge. - **D. Positron**: - A positron is the antimatter counterpart of an electron and carries a positive charge. However, positrons are not typically found in the nucleus of atoms under normal conditions. They are produced in certain types of radioactive decay or high-energy processes, making them an incorrect choice for this question. ### Summary of Key Points: - Protons are positively charged particles located in the nucleus of an atom. - Neutrons are neutral particles also found in the nucleus, but they do not carry a charge. - Electrons are negatively charged and orbit the nucleus, not residing within it. - Positrons are not standard components of atomic structure and are not found in the nucleus. This understanding of atomic structure is fundamental in chemistry, as it lays the groundwork for concepts such as atomic mass, charge balance, and chemical bonding.