Protons have a negative charge

A proton has a positive electric charge. An electron has a negative charge of equal magnitude, while a neutron has no net electric charge. The statement that protons are negatively charged is incorrect.

Meaning and context

An atom’s proton count determines its element. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons, so their charges balance overall. A net charge arises when the electron and proton counts differ.

Examples and usage

An atom with six protons and six electrons is neutral. If it loses one electron without changing the nucleus, it becomes positively charged. Losing an electron does not turn a proton negative or change the element’s proton count.

What to check

Do not confuse charge with mass or location. Protons and neutrons are in the nucleus in the basic atomic model, while electrons occupy the surrounding quantum states. The sign of a particle’s charge is a separate property from where a diagram places it.

Explore more: Chemistry and Elements