Answer:
The particle is the proton.
Step-by-step explanation:
An atom is composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons. The number of protons defines the identity (element) of that atom. 3 protons means it is lithium, element number 3. 14 protons would mean silicon, element number 14. The element number on the periodic table is also the number of protons. The numbers of neutrons and electrons may vary, but the number of protons will always indicate the element. Carbon has 6 protons, but each atom of carbon may have differing numbers of neutrons. These are called isotopes. Carbon-12 and carbon-14 are both carbon atoms, but the first has 2 fewer neutrons than the second. A neutral carbon atom will have 6 electrons. A carbon atom that has something other than 6 electrons is termed an ion. Adding electrons will make it anionic. Removing electrons will make it cationic. But no matter the numbers of neutrons and electrons, the number of protons always defines the atom as the element. A hypothetical atom with 8 protons, 29 neutrons, and 26 electrons is still oxygen (Element number 8). That same atom may shed 30 neutrons and 10 electrons, but it will still have 8 protons, and will therefore still be oxygen. Beat it flat with a sledgehammer, and if it still has 8 protons, it is still oxygen.