Which subatomic particle found in an atom has no electric charge?

Introduction / Context:
Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter, and understanding their structure is an essential part of school level physics and chemistry. Atoms contain three main subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Each has a characteristic electric charge, which determines how atoms interact in chemical reactions and electrical phenomena. This question asks you to identify which one of these subatomic particles carries no electric charge at all, a fact that is frequently tested in basic science and general knowledge exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The topic is the structure of an atom and its subatomic particles.
• Options include electron, neutron, proton, and a combined option, all of the above.
• You are expected to know the charges associated with each particle.
• Standard textbook definitions of charge are assumed: positive, negative, or zero.

Concept / Approach:
The concept is that in a neutral atom, positively charged protons and negatively charged electrons balance each other, while neutrons have no charge. Protons carry a positive charge, electrons carry a negative charge, and neutrons are electrically neutral. The approach is to recall the charge of each particle and then choose the one that matches “no electric charge”. Since only one subatomic particle among the three is neutral, the correct answer is straightforward once you remember their basic properties.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that an atom consists mainly of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Step 2: Remember that protons are located in the nucleus and carry a positive electric charge. Step 3: Recall that electrons move in regions around the nucleus and carry a negative electric charge. Step 4: Identify that neutrons are also located in the nucleus but are defined as electrically neutral, meaning they have no charge. Step 5: Compare this information with the options given. Step 6: Electron and proton are both charged particles, so they do not match the condition of having no charge. Step 7: Neutron has no electric charge, so it is the only correct answer, and therefore the combined option, all of the above, is incorrect.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by recalling common representations of atomic structure from diagrams in science textbooks. These show protons marked with a plus sign, electrons with a minus sign, and neutrons with no sign at all. Additionally, when calculating the net charge of an atom, only protons and electrons are counted, while neutrons affect mass but not charge. These facts confirm that neutrons are neutral. Any standard periodic table or atomic structure chapter repeats this information, which reinforces the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Electron: Electrons carry a negative charge and are responsible for many electrical and chemical properties, so they are not neutral.
Proton: Protons carry a positive charge and contribute to the atomic number, so they are also not neutral.
All of the above: Since both electrons and protons are charged, it is impossible that all three particles have no charge. This option contradicts basic atomic theory.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to confuse the names because neutron contains the word “neutral” only indirectly. Some students might quickly choose electron since they often hear about electric current and electrons in the same context, but they forget the key detail that electrons are negatively charged. Another pitfall is marking all of the above without carefully evaluating each particle. To avoid these errors, always recall the simple summary: protons positive, electrons negative, neutrons neutral. This three word pattern makes it easy to answer such questions in a few seconds.

Final Answer:
The subatomic particle that has no electric charge is the Neutron.