Here's why:
* Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom.
* Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus.
* Neutrons are neutral particles also found in the nucleus.
For an atom to be neutral, the number of positive charges (protons) must equal the number of negative charges (electrons). This is why elements on the periodic table are neutral - they have the same number of protons and electrons.