How many electrons does a hydrogen atom have?

A hydrogen atom consists of a single proton and a single electron.

• The atomic number of hydrogen is 1, which means it has 1 electron.
• In its neutral state, the number of protons (positive charge) equals the number of electrons (negative charge), making the atom electrically neutral.
• The electron is in the 1s orbital, the closest energy level to the nucleus.

Key Fact:

Hydrogen, being the simplest atom, is often used as a reference point in the study of atomic structure and quantum mechanics.