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The proton.

Usually the number of protons and electrons are the same (in a neutral atom), but if the atom is an ion and has a charge, then the numbers will be different (and the difference will be the ion's charge, positive or negative depending on which number is higher.)

There can be isotopes of the same element with differing numbers of neutrons.

But as long an atom has 12 protons, even if it has 500 neutrons and elections (no, that won't happen), it's always still a carbon atom.

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13y ago

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