Which particle has a positive charge?

The particle with a positive charge is the proton. Protons are found within the nucleus of an atom and carry a fundamental positive electric charge. This positive charge plays a critical role in determining the identity of an element, as the number of protons in an atom's nucleus defines the element's atomic number. For example, hydrogen has one proton, while carbon has six protons.

Electrons, on the other hand, carry a negative charge and are found in the electron cloud surrounding the nucleus. Neutrons have no charge and are also located in the nucleus along with protons. The term "ion" refers to an atom that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net charge, but ions can be positively charged (cations) or negatively charged (anions). Thus, the proton stands out as the particle that unequivocally carries a positive charge.