Question

What are the three basic particles in atoms?

Answer 1

The three basic particles in atoms are protons, electrons and neutrons.

Protons:

• Mass defined as 1
• Charge +1
• Represented as p or p+
• Number of protons in an atom also represent its atomic number

Electrons:

• Mass considered negligible compared to protons and neutrons.
• Charge -1
• Represented as ${\mathrm{e}}^{-}$

Neutrons:

• Mass defined as 1
• No charge or 0 charge
• Number of neutrons in an atom also determines its isotopes