What type of particles carry a positive charge?

Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom. Each proton carries a single positive electrical charge, which is fundamental to the structure of atoms and the formation of elements on the periodic table. This positive charge plays an essential role in determining the chemical properties of an element, as it influences how atoms interact through electromagnetic forces with electrons, which carry a negative charge.

In contrast, electrons are negatively charged particles, and neutrons, which are also found in the nucleus, carry no charge at all. Ions relate to charged particles but refer to atoms that have gained or lost electrons; they can be either positively or negatively charged depending on the balance of protons and electrons. Therefore, protons are the definitive carriers of positive charge in atomic structure.