Determine whether each of the following statements is true or false. a. The nucleus has most of the mass and comprises most of the volume of an atom.

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Understand the structure of an atom: An atom consists of a nucleus and an electron cloud. The nucleus contains protons and neutrons, while electrons orbit around the nucleus.

Consider the mass distribution: The nucleus contains protons and neutrons, which are much heavier than electrons. Therefore, the nucleus contains most of the mass of the atom.

Consider the volume distribution: The nucleus is very small compared to the overall size of the atom. Most of the atom's volume is actually the space occupied by the electron cloud.

Evaluate the statement: The statement claims that the nucleus comprises most of the volume of an atom. Based on the understanding of atomic structure, this part of the statement is incorrect.

Conclude the truth value: Since the nucleus does not comprise most of the volume, the statement is false.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Atomic Structure

Atoms consist of a nucleus, which contains protons and neutrons, and is surrounded by electrons in orbitals. The nucleus is dense and accounts for the majority of an atom's mass, while the electron cloud occupies most of the atom's volume, leading to a significant difference between mass and volume distribution.

Mass vs. Volume in Atoms

While the nucleus contains nearly all of an atom's mass due to the heavy protons and neutrons, it occupies a very small volume compared to the overall size of the atom. The electron cloud, which is much larger in volume, contributes negligibly to the mass, illustrating the distinction between mass concentration and spatial distribution in atomic structure.

True/False Statements in Science

In scientific inquiry, evaluating statements as true or false requires understanding the underlying principles. In this case, recognizing that the nucleus is massive but occupies little volume helps in determining the accuracy of the statement regarding the nucleus's mass and volume in relation to the entire atom.

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