Which particle is negatively charged in an atom?

In an atom, the particle that carries a negative charge is the electron. Electrons are subatomic particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom, which is composed of protons and neutrons. The negative charge of electrons is fundamental to their role in chemical bonding and interactions between atoms.

Protons, on the other hand, possess a positive charge, while neutrons are neutrally charged, meaning they have no overall charge. The presence of negatively charged electrons and positively charged protons helps to balance the overall charge of the atom, resulting in most atoms being electrically neutral. The term "Z proton" does not refer to a standard particle in atomic structure, but rather may denote the atomic number, representing the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, further emphasizing that it's the electron which holds the negative charge. Thus, the correct answer highlights the essential role of electrons in the structure of atoms.