Which subatomic particle orbits the nucleus?

Electrons are the subatomic particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom. In atomic structure, the nucleus, which is composed of protons and neutrons, occupies a central position while electrons move around this nucleus in defined energy levels or orbitals. This arrangement is fundamental to the behavior of atoms and contributes to the chemical properties of elements.

Protons and neutrons, while also essential components of the atom, reside within the nucleus and do not orbit around it. Quarks are constituents of protons and neutrons, but they function at a different scale and do not exist independently outside the nucleus. Thus, electrons are uniquely characterized as the particles that occupy the region surrounding the nucleus, participating in chemical reactions and bonding with other atoms.