The particles in the nucleus of an atom are called nucleons , which consist of protons and neutrons. Protons carry a positive electrical charge, while neutrons are electrically neutral. These particles together make up the dense core at the center of the atom, called the nucleus, which contains almost all of the atom's mass. Electrons, the negatively charged particles, are not in the nucleus but orbit around it.
Details
- Protons define the charge of the nucleus and determine the chemical element of the atom. Each proton has a positive charge.
- Neutrons have no charge but contribute significantly to the mass and stability of the nucleus by reducing the electrostatic repulsion between protons.
- The nucleus is held together by the strong nuclear force, which is much stronger than the electrostatic forces that would otherwise push protons apart.
Thus, the nucleus consists of protons and neutrons exclusively, collectively known as nucleons.
