What are the negatively charged subatomic particles in atoms called?

• A. Electrons
• B. Protons
• C. Neutrons
• D. Ions

Answer: (A)

The negatively charged subatomic particles in atoms are electrons. They orbit the nucleus in regions called electron shells or orbitals and carry a small negative charge opposite to the positive charge of the protons in the nucleus. This negative charge, balanced by the protons, helps keep the atom overall neutral when their numbers are equal. Neutrons have no charge, so they don’t affect the atom’s charge, while ions are charged atoms that result from gaining or losing electrons, not a type of particle itself. So the negative charge carried by electrons is what defines them.