What is the charge of a proton?

A proton carries a positive charge, which is a fundamental characteristic of this subatomic particle. Protons are found in the nucleus of an atom and play a key role in defining the atomic number, which determines the identity of an element. For example, an atom of hydrogen has one proton, giving it an atomic number of 1, while oxygen, with eight protons, has an atomic number of 8.

The positive charge of protons is crucial for the formation of chemical bonds and interactions between atoms. Since protons have a charge that is equal in magnitude but opposite in sign to that of electrons (which are negatively charged), the balance of protons and electrons in a neutral atom leads to overall charge neutrality.

Other options presented do not accurately represent the nature of protons. Neutral describes a state without charge, which applies to neutrons but not protons. Negative refers to the charge of electrons, while variable suggests a charge that changes, which is not the case for protons. Therefore, understanding that protons have a consistent positive charge is essential for grasping the concepts of atomic structure and chemistry.