What are the properties of protons, neutrons, and electrons?

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Detailed Solution

Protons, neutrons, and electrons are the three primary subatomic particles that make up an atom. Their properties differ significantly in terms of mass, charge, and location within the atom.

Here is a direct comparison of their key properties:

Property	Proton (p)	Neutron (n)	Electron (e⁻)
Location	Inside the nucleus	Inside the nucleus	Orbits the nucleus (in electron shells/orbitals)
Relative Charge	+1	0 (Neutral)	-1
Relative Mass	~1 amu	~1 amu (slightly heavier than a proton)	~1/1836 amu (very small)
Mass (kg)	1.672 x 10^-27 kg	1.675 x 10^-27 kg	9.109 x 10^-31 kg

Summary of Roles

Protons determine the element's atomic number (Z) and identity.
Neutrons add mass to the nucleus and stabilize it; variations in neutron number create isotopes.
Electrons determine the atom's chemical properties and are responsible for forming chemical bonds.

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