Do Protons and Electrons Have the Same Mass? — Reading Comprehension

Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter. Every atom is made of three main parts: protons, neutrons, and electrons. These particles are tiny, but they each play an important role. One big difference between them is their mass.

So, do protons and electrons have the same mass?
The answer is no—not even close.

A proton has a mass of about 1.67 × 10⁻²⁷ kilograms. An electron, on the other hand, has a mass of about 9.11 × 10⁻³¹ kilograms. That means an electron is nearly 1,836 times lighter than a proton!

Because electrons are so light, they add almost no mass to an atom. Most of an atom’s mass comes from the protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Electrons orbit the nucleus in a cloud and are important for electric charge and chemical reactions, but not for weight.

Even though electrons and protons are very different in mass, they have equal but opposite charges. A proton has a positive charge (+1), while an electron has a negative charge (–1). In most atoms, the number of protons and electrons is the same, which keeps the atom electrically neutral.

Understanding the difference in mass between protons and electrons helps scientists study atoms, build models, and explain how matter works at a tiny level.

Fun Fact: If a proton weighed as much as a bowling ball, an electron would weigh less than a paperclip’s tiniest shaving!

What is the main idea of the passage?

What is the mass of a proton?

What is the mass of an electron?

Which particle is lighter?

How many times lighter is an electron compared to a proton?

Why don't electrons add much to the atom's mass?

What is the charge of a proton and an electron?

Why is it useful to know the mass difference between protons and electrons?