Which subatomic particle determines the charge of an atom?

The subatomic particle that determines the charge of an atom is the electron.

The subatomic particle that determines the charge of an atom is the electron.

The subatomic particle that determines the charge of an atom is the electron. Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit around the nucleus of an atom. The number of electrons in an atom determines its overall charge. If an atom has an equal number of protons and electrons, it is considered to be neutral, meaning it has no overall charge. If an atom gains or loses electrons, it becomes charged and is called an ion. When an atom gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged, while if it loses electrons, it becomes positively charged. Therefore, electrons play a crucial role in determining the charge of an atom.