Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom. They determine the atomic number and contribute to the overall mass of an atom.
Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit around the nucleus of an atom. They determine chemical properties and participate in bonding with other atoms.
Atomic Number: The atomic number represents the number of protons in an atom's nucleus. It determines which element it belongs to on the periodic table.