which particles in atoms have a negative electric charge
An understanding of static electricity must begin with the concept that all matter is composed of atoms, and all atoms are composed of subatomic particles among which are the charged particles known as electrons and protons. Protons carry a positive charge (+), and electrons carry a negative charge (-). The number of electrons in an atomâranging from one up to about 100âmatches the number of charged particles, or protons, in the nucleus, and determines how the atom will link to other atoms to form molecules.