Which subatomic particle has a negative charge?

The subatomic particle that has a negative charge is the electron. Electrons are fundamental constituents of atoms and are found in the electron cloud surrounding the nucleus of an atom. They carry a charge of -1 elementary charge. This property is crucial for understanding electricity, chemical bonding, and the overall behavior of atoms in different states of matter.

In contrast, neutrons are neutral particles found in the nucleus of an atom and do not have any charge, which is critical for the stability of the nucleus. Protons, also located in the nucleus, carry a positive charge of +1 and play a key role in determining the atomic number of an element. Quarks are elementary particles that combine to form protons and neutrons, but they can carry fractional charges of either +2/3 or -1/3, rather than a full unit negative charge. Hence, the electron is the only subatomic particle among these that possesses a complete negative charge.