Protons, Electrons, Third Wheel

Atoms pack three characters: protons (positive, stuck in the nucleus), neutrons (neutral, also stuck), and electrons (negative, zipping around the outside). Electrons are the party animals — they're the ones that move and create electricity.

• Protons weigh about 1,836 times more than electrons
• Electrons jump between atoms with very little encouragement
• Neutrons do nothing electric but hold the nucleus together

When electrons leave one atom and join another, one object goes positive (lost electrons) and the other goes negative (gained them). That's the whole basis of static, batteries, and your phone screen responding to a fingertip.