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Protons
Tiny particles called hadrons are found in the nucleus of every atom. Hadrons possessing a positive electric charge are referred to as protons. The number of protons per atom determines that element's Atomic Number and position on the Periodic Table of the Elements. Each proton consists of three tiny particles called quarks: two quarks referred to as "up" and one referred to as "down."
Neutrons
Also composed of three quarks, neutrons are hadrons with a neutral charge. While stable atoms usually have the same number of neutrons and protons, an atom that has too many or too few neutrons is defined as an isotope. Neutrons, like protons, consist of three quarks; however, neutrons have two "down" and one "up" instead of the reverse. Because of their similar composition, neutrons are almost identical to protons in mass.
Electrons
Electrons are elementary particles that carry a negative charge. Compared to protons and neutrons, electrons are very small and contribute very little mass to the atom. Unlike the other subatomic particles, electrons are capable of leaving the atom to form bonds with other atoms, resulting in chemical compounds. Electrons form the basis of quantum mechanics, a branch of theoretical physics that attempts to understand and explain the "spooky" behavior of these tiny particles.
Atomic Structure
The atom is composed of a central nucleus made up of a mass of protons and neutrons, with the electrons hovering outside. With the exception of hydrogen, which does not have a neutron, a normal atom possesses the same number of each of these particles and is electrically neutral. This status might change due to the gain or loss of electrons during chemical bonding. Because of the enormous difference in size between electrons and hadrons, the vast majority of the atom's mass is found in the nucleus.