Which particle of an atom is neutral?

The particle of an atom that is neutral is the neutron. Neutrons are subatomic particles found in the nucleus of an atom, alongside protons. They do not carry any electric charge, which is what defines their neutrality. This characteristic allows neutrons to contribute to the overall mass of the atom without affecting its charge.

In contrast, protons have a positive charge, and electrons have a negative charge. Ions are charged particles that can be formed when atoms lose or gain electrons. Understanding the role of neutrons is crucial, especially in the context of atomic stability and the behavior of isotopes, where variations in the number of neutrons can lead to different atomic mass but not change the chemical properties of the element.