Final answer:
The proton is the part of the atom responsible for creating different types of atoms; it defines the element's identity via the atomic number. Neutrons and electrons do not create different types of atoms, but neutrons affect the isotopes, while electrons are important for chemical properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The part of the atom responsible for creating different types of atoms is the proton. Each element is defined by its unique number of protons in the nucleus, also known as the atomic number. While both neutrons and electrons are also subatomic particles, they do not determine the identity of the element. Neutrons contribute to the mass of the atom and, along with the number of protons, define the isotopes of an element. Electrons, due to their minimal mass, have little influence on the chemical identity of an atom but are crucial in chemical bonding and electrical conductivity.
Atoms of different elements have a unique number of protons, which is the defining characteristic that makes one type of atom different from another. For example, carbon has 6 protons, whereas oxygen has 8 protons. Changing the number of neutrons in an atom leads to the formation of isotopes, but the element remains the same.