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Compare the Properties of Protons, Electrons and Neutrons?
The smallest particles that make up an atom are protons, neutrons, and electrons. The atom’s nucleus is made up of protons and neutrons. The nucleus is surrounded by electrons. The properties of these three particles are compared and listed below.
The comparison between protons, neutrons, and electrons is given in the table below:
Protons | Electrons | Neutrons |
Protons are particles with a positive charge. | Negatively charged particles are electrons. | Neutrons are charged particles that do not have a charge. |
They can be found within the nucleus. | They can be found outside the nucleus and rotate around it. | They can be found within the nucleus. |
They have a mass of 1.67×10-27 kg. | They have a mass of 9.1×10-31 kg. | They have a mass of. 1.67×10-27 kg. |
Protons are represented by the symbol p+. | Protons are represented by the symbol p–. | Protons are represented by the symbol n. |
Whether it’s in its free state or inside an atom, a proton is said to be extremely stable. They do not decompose on their own. | Electrons are inherently stable. If an atom’s outermost shell has enough electrons to complete the octet, it is said to be stable. | They are unstable and release beta particles as they decay. |
The number of protons in an atom equals the element’s atomic number. | In an atom, the number of electrons and protons is equal. | The sum of the amount of protons and neutrons determines an atom’s mass number. |
