Which part of an atom has a negative charge?

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Electrons are the particles within an atom that carry a negative charge. They are found in the electron cloud that surrounds the nucleus of the atom. This negative charge is fundamental to the electron's role in chemical bonding and electricity.

In contrast, protons, which are located in the nucleus, possess a positive charge, while neutrons, also found in the nucleus, have no charge at all. The nucleus itself, being composed of protons and neutrons, is positively charged overall due to the presence of protons. This charge distribution within an atom is crucial for understanding its behavior in chemical reactions and interactions with other atoms. Therefore, the identification of electrons as the negatively charged component is key to grasping the basic structure of matter.

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