What is the Difference Between Proton and Electron?

Protons and electrons are both subatomic particles found in an atom, but they have distinct differences:

• Location within the atom: Protons are located in the nucleus, at the center of the atom, while electrons are found outside the nucleus in orbiting shells.
• Charge: Protons have a positive charge, whereas electrons have a negative charge. The charge on a proton and an electron are equal in magnitude but opposite in sign.
• Mass: Electrons are much lighter than protons, with a mass of about 9.1 x 10^-31 kg, compared to a proton's mass of 1.67 x 10^-27 kg. This means that electrons contribute virtually nothing to the total mass of an atom.
• Mobility: Electrons are highly mobile, as they are located in the shells of atoms and can be easily removed or added to an atom. In contrast, protons are not mobile, as they are tightly bound within the nucleus.
• Composition: Electrons are fundamental particles, meaning they do not consist of smaller particles. Protons, on the other hand, consist of three quarks, which carry fractional charges.

In summary, protons and electrons differ in their location within the atom, charge, mass, mobility, and composition.

Comparative Table: Proton vs Electron

Here is a table summarizing the differences between protons and electrons:

Protons are positively charged particles that reside in the nucleus of an atom, while electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit around the nucleus. Protons and neutrons have approximately the same mass, but they are both much more massive than electrons (approximately 2,000 times as massive as an electron). The number of protons in an atom determines its atomic number, and the number of protons plus neutrons determines its atomic mass.