A proton is a tiny particle with a positive charge that sits right in the center (the nucleus) of an atom. While electrons are the “movers,” protons are the anchors. They are much heavier than electrons and stay locked in the middle, acting like a magnet that holds the negative electrons in place. Most importantly, the number of protons determines what kind of element an atom is (for example, every Hydrogen atom has exactly one proton).
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