*Protons* and [[Neutron|neutrons]] build the atomic core of [[Atom|atoms]]. Protons and neutrons have roughly the same mass, while being significantly heavier than the negatively charged electrons in the electronic shell. Protons are positively charged. Since atoms appear electrically neutral to the outside, there are naturally as many protons in the core as there are electrons in the atomic shell. In the graphic, protons are illustrated by small red balls. ![[atom.excalidraw.light.svg]] Although believed to be an [[Elementary Particles|elementary particle]] for a long time, protons actually consists of three so-called [[Quark|quarks]]. The three quarks (two *up* quarks and one *down* quark) are bound together by the [[Fundamental Forces|strong interaction]]. >[!read]- Further Reading >- [[Neutron]] >- [[Electromagnetism]] >[!ref]- References