Which particles move freely in a conductor?

a. negatively charged protons
b. positively charged protons
c. negatively charged electrons
d. positively charged electrons

The particles that move freely in a conductor are negatively charged electrons (option c). Electrons are the carriers of electrical current in conductive materials such as metals.

The particles that move freely in a conductor are negatively charged electrons (c).

In a conductor, such as a metal, the outermost electrons of the atoms are loosely bound and can easily move around within the material. When an electric field is applied to a conductor, these free electrons are able to flow in response to the field. This movement of electrons constitutes an electric current. Since electrons are negatively charged, they are the particles that contribute to the flow of charge in a conductor.

The correct answer is c. negatively charged electrons.

In a conductor, such as a metal, the electrons in the outer energy levels of atoms are not tightly bound to their respective atoms and can move freely. These free electrons are responsible for the flow of electric current in a conductor. On the other hand, positively charged protons, whether in the nuclei of atoms or by themselves, are relatively stationary and do not move freely in a conductor.