Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) G3 Practice Exam

Which particle actively participates in the transfer of electrical energy?

1. Electrons

2. Protons

3. Neutrons

4. Nucleus

The correct answer is: Electrons

The active participant in the transfer of electrical energy is electrons. Electrons are negatively charged subatomic particles that flow through conductors, such as wires, when an electrical potential difference (voltage) is applied. This movement of electrons is what constitutes electric current, which is the basis for electrical energy transfer. Protons, while they carry positive charge, are typically not involved in the movement of electricity in conductive materials as they are bound within the atomic nucleus and do not flow freely. Neutrons are neutral particles found in the nucleus of an atom and do not have any charge; therefore, they do not contribute to electrical conductivity or the transfer of electrical energy. The nucleus itself is a collection of protons and neutrons, but since it does not move or interact with electrical energy in the same way electrons do, it does not play a role in the transfer of electrical energy.