How many parts does an atom consist of?

An atom is composed of three main parts: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus at the center of the atom, while electrons orbit around the nucleus in various energy levels.

The protons carry a positive charge, neutrons are neutral, and electrons carry a negative charge. This arrangement allows atoms to bond with each other to form molecules, which are the building blocks of matter. Understanding these three components is essential in the study of chemistry and atomic structure, as they determine the properties and behavior of elements.

The other options provided do not represent the fundamental structure of an atom, which is consistently defined as having these three components.