Electric current requires moving charged particles

Steps:

• Electric current is the flow of charged particles through a conductor.
• Alpha particles are helium nuclei with +2 charge.
• Beta particles are electrons with -1 charge.
• Neutrons have no charge; protons have +1 charge.
• Identify the uncharged particle that cannot produce current.

Why C is correct:

• Neutrons are electrically neutral and do not carry charge, so their movement does not generate electric current per the definition of current as charge flow (I = Q/t).

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Alpha particles are positively charged and can ionize gases to create current in devices like Geiger counters.
• B: Beta particles are fast-moving electrons that directly form electric current in radiation detectors.
• D: Protons are positively charged and can flow in plasmas or particle beams to produce current.

Final answer: C