Question

Differentiate between the three subatomic particles.

Answer 1

• Atom- An atom is defined as the smallest unit that retains the properties of an element.
• For example, the Hydrogen atom is symbolized by the letter H in chemistry.
• An atom is composed of sub-atomic particles and these cannot be made or destroyed.
• An atom has protons and neutrons in its nucleus.
• Electrons which are negatively charged subatomic particles, revolve around the nucleus in a fixed path called an orbit.
• The differences between the three subatomic particles are mentioned below.

Proton	Electron	Neutron
A proton is a positively charged subatomic particle present in the nucleus of an atom.	An electron is a negatively charged subatomic particle revolving around the nucleus of an atom.	A neutron is a neutral subatomic particle present in the nucleus of an atom.
It is denoted by the letter 'p' in chemistry.	It is denoted by the letter 'e' in chemistry.	It is denoted by the letter ‘n’ in chemistry.
It was discovered by Eugen Goldstein.	It was discovered by J.J.Thomson.	It was discovered by James Chadwick.
The charge present on a proton is 1.602×10−19 C.	The charge present on an electron is -1.602×10−19 C.	The charge on neutron is 0.
The mass of a proton is 1.672×10−27 kg.	The mass of an electron is 9.109×10-31 kg.	It has a rest mass equal to 1.674 × 10−27 kg.