Which particles are responsible for the net charge of an atom?

The net charge of an atom is determined by the balance between protons and electrons. Protons, which have a positive charge, are located in the nucleus of the atom, while electrons, which have a negative charge, orbit around the nucleus.

In a neutral atom, the number of protons equals the number of electrons, resulting in no net charge. However, when there is an imbalance between the two—either more protons than electrons or vice versa—the atom will carry a charge. If protons outnumber electrons, the atom is positively charged, and if electrons outnumber protons, it becomes negatively charged.

Neutrons do not affect the net charge of an atom since they are uncharged particles. The nuclei, which consist of both protons and neutrons, also do not contribute to the net charge on their own. Thus, the correct option highlights the crucial role that electrons play, alongside protons, in determining the overall charge of an atom.