What particles are positively charged and found in the nucleus of an atom?

Protons are positively charged particles that reside in the nucleus of an atom. They play a critical role in determining the atomic number, which identifies the element and its position in the periodic table. The number of protons in an atom defines its chemical identity; for example, an atom with one proton is hydrogen, while an atom with six protons is carbon.

In contrast, neutrons, also found in the nucleus, are neutral and do not carry a charge, so they do not contribute to the overall charge of the atom. Electrons, which are negatively charged, orbit the nucleus and balance the positive charge of protons, but they are not located in the nucleus. Anions are negatively charged ions that result from atoms gaining electrons; they are not a type of particle found in the nucleus. Therefore, protons are the only particles that are positively charged and located in the nucleus of an atom.