The electrons are negatively charged, protons are positively charged while neutrons are nuetral. Nuetrons are bound to the nucleus by the electromagnetic force.

An atom containing an equal number of protons and electrons is electrically neutral, otherwise it has a positive charge or negative charge. An atom is classified according to the number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus.

The number of protons determines the chemical element.

The No of protons = ATOMIC NUMBER of the atom.

The number of neutrons determines the isotope of the element.