Which particle has a negative charge and rotates around the outside of the nucleus of the atom?

• A. Neutron
• B. Proton
• C. Electron
• D. Quark

Answer: (C)

The particle that has a negative charge and orbits around the nucleus of an atom is the electron. Electrons are fundamental components of atoms and are found in various energy levels outside the nucleus. Their negative charge is crucial to the electrical balance of atoms, as they help to determine an atom's chemical properties and behavior in reactions.

In contrast, neutrons carry no charge and are located within the nucleus, contributing to the mass of the atom but not to its electrical properties. Protons, also found in the nucleus, have a positive charge and play a vital role in defining the element itself, alongside neutrons. Quarks are even smaller particles that combine to form protons and neutrons but do not exist freely and do not orbit around the nucleus. Thus, the correct identification of the negatively charged particle orbiting the nucleus is the electron.