Question

Identify the wrong statement in the following Coulomb's law correctly describes the electric force that

• A. binds the electrons of an atom to its nucleus
• B. binds protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom
• C. binds atoms together to form molecules
• D. binds atoms and molecules to form solids

Answer 1

The correct option is B

binds protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom

Explanation for correct option:

Option (B):

1. Both protons and neutrons are present in the nucleus of an atom.
2. Neutrons are electrically neutral particles while protons are electrically positively charged particles.
3. Coulomb's law gives us the electric force present between two charged particles.
4. Since neutron does not possess any charge, Coulomb's law cannot be applied in this case.
5. Coulomb's law can also be applied for ionic compounds, in which positive ions and negative ions are bonded due to electrostatic forces.

Explanation for ncorrect option:

Option (A):

1. Electrons are electrically negatively charged particles.
2. Protons, which are electrically positively charged particles are present in the nucleus of an atom.
3. Coulomb's law gives us the electric force present between two charged particles.
4. Hence, according to Coulomb's law, the electrons are bound to the positive charge present at the center of the atom.

Option (C):

1. Molecules are formed by forming positive and negative ions or sharing similarly charged ions.
2. Coulomb's law gives us the electric force present between two charged particles.
3. Hence, according to Coulomb's law, the atoms can be bound together to form ionic molecules.

Option (D):

1. Atoms and molecules are bound together by forming positive and negative charges or ions or sharing similarly charged ions.
2. Coulomb's law gives us the electric force present between two charged particles.
3. Hence, according to Coulomb's law, the atoms and molecules can be bound together to form solids or ionic molecules.

Hence, the correct answer is an option (B).