* Protons: Positively charged particles located in the nucleus. The number of protons determines the element of an atom. For example, all carbon atoms have 6 protons.
* Neutrons: Neutrally charged particles also located in the nucleus. The number of neutrons can vary within an element, creating isotopes. For example, carbon-12 has 6 neutrons, while carbon-14 has 8 neutrons.
Together, protons and neutrons make up almost the entire mass of an atom. They are held together by the strong nuclear force, which is a powerful force that overcomes the electrostatic repulsion between the protons.
Electrons, which are negatively charged particles, orbit the nucleus in shells. However, electrons are not part of the nucleus.
Here's a simple analogy: Imagine the nucleus as the sun in our solar system. The protons and neutrons are like the sun's core, containing most of the mass. The electrons are like the planets orbiting the sun, but not actually part of the sun itself.
