Protons and electrons are fundamental particles in an atom, but they have several key differences:
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Charge:
- Protons have a positive charge (+1 elementary charge).
- Electrons have a negative charge (-1 elementary charge).
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Mass:
- Protons are significantly more massive than electrons, with a mass of approximately 1 atomic mass unit (amu), or about 1836 times the mass of an electron.
- Electrons have a much smaller mass, roughly 1/1836 of a proton.
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Location in the Atom:
- Protons are located in the nucleus of an atom, contributing to the atomic mass and positively influencing the overall charge of the nucleus.
- Electrons orbit around the nucleus in various energy levels or shells, and they play a key role in chemical bonding and the behavior of atoms.
These differences contribute to the overall structure and behavior of atoms.