Which component of the atom carries a negative charge and orbits the nucleus?

Study for the Dental Radiology Foundation Chain and Physics Test. Enhance your skills with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Prepare for your success!

Electrons are the negatively charged particles that surround the nucleus and are held in place by the attraction to the positively charged protons in the nucleus. This binding creates the atom’s structure, and in neutral atoms the number of electrons equals the number of protons, balancing the charge. While we often say they “orbit,” the modern view is that electrons occupy regions called orbitals around the nucleus, but the essential idea is that the negatively charged electrons move around the nucleus. The nucleus itself contains protons (positive) and neutrons (neutral) and does not carry negative charge or orbit anything.