Which two particles make up the nucleus of an atom?

The nucleus of an atom is primarily composed of protons and neutrons. Protons carry a positive charge, while neutrons have no charge. Together, they constitute the mass and most of the volume of the nucleus. This central location in an atom is crucial, as it contains the positive charge that balances the negative charge of the electrons in the surrounding electron cloud.

Protons determine the atomic number of an element, which defines what element it is, while neutrons contribute to the atomic mass and can vary in number within isotopes of the same element. Understanding the role of protons and neutrons in the nucleus is foundational in atomic structure and nuclear chemistry.

The other options involve particles that do not constitute the atomic nucleus. Electrons, for instance, orbit around the nucleus and do not participate in making up its structure. Quarks are elementary particles that combine to form protons and neutrons but do not exist independently as nucleons.