Which particle is found in the nucleus of an atom along with protons?

The particle found in the nucleus of an atom alongside protons is the neutron. Neutrons, like protons, are baryons and are both classified as nucleons, which make up the atomic nucleus. Protons carry a positive charge, while neutrons are neutral, meaning they have no charge. The presence of neutrons in the nucleus contributes to the overall mass of the atom and plays a critical role in stabilizing it, as they help to balance the repulsive forces between the positively charged protons.

In atomic structure, electrons are found in electron clouds or orbitals surrounding the nucleus, not within it. Photons are particles of light and do not reside in the nucleus at all. Mesons are a type of subatomic particle that can be involved in mediating forces between baryons such as protons and neutrons but are not components of the nucleus themselves. Understanding the roles of these particles helps clarify the fundamental structure and behavior of atoms.