Final answer:
The nucleus of an atom consists of protons and neutrons, with protons being positively charged and neutrons having no charge. This central nucleus is surrounded by negatively charged electrons, and its composition determines the atom's properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nucleus of an atom, which is a key concept in Chemistry, is comprised of protons and neutrons. These two types of subatomic particles are packed tightly together to form a dense, positively charged region at the center of the atom. Protons carry a positive electric charge, while neutrons have no electric charge and serve to add mass and stabilize the nucleus. Surrounding this central nucleus, electrons, which have a negative electric charge, move in orbits, creating an atom's structure. The unique combination of protons, neutrons, and electrons defines the type of atom and its properties. For example, hydrogen, the simplest atom, consists of one proton and one electron but typically has no neutrons. The atomic nucleus is indeed very small compared to the entire atom, analogous to a baseball in a baseball stadium. It holds the majority of an atom's mass due to the significant mass of protons and neutrons relative to electrons.