Which subatomic particle has a neutral charge?

The neutron is the only subatomic particle that possesses a neutral charge. This neutrality is crucial in the atomic structure, as neutrons coexist with positively charged protons within the nucleus of an atom. The presence of neutrons helps to stabilize the nucleus, balancing the repulsive forces between the positively charged protons. This is particularly important in larger atoms, where the balance of protons and neutrons determines the overall stability of the nucleus.

In contrast, electrons are negatively charged, while protons carry a positive charge. Alpha particles consist of two protons and two neutrons, thus exhibiting a positive charge as well. Understanding the charge of these particles is fundamental to grasping concepts in atomic structure and chemistry, especially in how atoms interact and bond with one another.