What kind of charge does an electron have?

An electron has a negative charge. This negative charge balances out the positive charge of the other electrically charged part in an atom, the proton. Electrons are small in size compared to the other components of an atom, and they move quickly within the atom.

Electrons are located in the outer part of an atom. They are found in shells surrounding the nucleus in specific distances. The number of electrons helps shape the atom. A higher count of electrons creates a more complex shell. Electrons are the key element in chemical bonds. Ionic bonding occurs when electrons transfer from one atom to another.