What is the mass of a proton?

The mass of a proton is approximately 1.673 × 10^-27 kg. This value is foundational in understanding atomic structure, as protons, along with neutrons, make up the nucleus of an atom, contributing to its overall mass and positive charge.

Knowing the mass of a proton is essential for calculations involving atomic mass units (amu), where one proton is roughly defined as 1 amu. This relationship helps in understanding the composition of elements in the periodic table, as the atomic mass is often calculated based on the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom’s nucleus.

The other provided options represent different fundamental particle masses or orders of magnitude that do not correspond to the mass of a proton. For example, the mass of an electron is approximately 9.11 × 10^-31 kg, which is significantly smaller than that of a proton. In contrast, values that are orders of magnitude greater than that of a proton are not applicable in this context. The 1.6 × 10^-19 kg choice relates more closely to the charge of an electron rather than a mass. Thus, recognizing the proton's mass as 1.673 × 10^-27 kg is critical for grasping concepts in both