* Protons: These are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom. The number of protons defines the element. For example, all carbon atoms have 6 protons.
* Electrons: These are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus.
* Neutrality: For an atom to be neutral, the positive charges from the protons must be balanced by the negative charges from the electrons.
Therefore, in a neutral atom, the number of protons (positive charges) equals the number of electrons (negative charges).
