List the three subatomic particles that compose atoms and give the basic properties (mass and charge) of each.

Protons are one of the three primary subatomic particles that make up an atom, and they hold several fundamental properties that contribute to the structure and behavior of atoms. Each proton carries a positive electric charge, symbolized as +1e, where 'e' represents the elementary charge. In terms of mass, a proton has a relative mass of about 1 atomic mass unit (amu), which is approximately equal to 1.6726219 × 10^-27 kilograms.

Located in the nucleus of an atom, protons play a critical role in determining the atomic number, which in turn identifies the type of element. For instance, the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of carbon is always six. This positive charge of the protons contributes to the electrostatic force that holds the electrons in orbit around the nucleus.

• Positive electric charge: +1e
• Mass: Approximately 1 atomic mass unit (amu)
• Located in the nucleus
• Determines the atomic number

Neutrons are another type of subatomic particle residing in the nucleus alongside protons. Their most prominent characteristic is the lack of an electric charge, hence their name 'neutron', emblematic of neutrality. Like protons, neutrons have a mass close to 1 atomic mass unit. More precisely, a neutron is slightly heavier than a proton, but this small difference barely affects the calculation in most chemical scenarios.

While neutrons do not affect the atomic number of an element (which is determined solely by the number of protons), they do influence the isotope of the element. Isotopes are atoms of the same element that differ in the number of neutrons within their nuclei, resulting in different mass numbers. Neutrons contribute to the overall mass of the atom and play a key role in stabilizing the nucleus, preventing protons from repelling each other due to their like charges.

• No electric charge (neutral)
• Slightly heavier than protons
• Contributes to isotopes' identity
• Helps in stabilizing the nucleus

Electrons are the third essential component of an atom. Their role is critical as they are involved in forming chemical bonds and determining the atom's chemical properties. Each electron carries a negative electric charge of -1e, opposite to the charge of a proton. However, the mass of an electron is significantly lighter than that of a proton; it's approximately 1/1836th of the mass of a proton, or about 9.10938356 × 10^-31 kilograms.

Electrons orbit the nucleus of an atom at various energy levels or shells. An interesting and important property of electrons is that they exhibit both particle-like and wave-like behavior, a phenomenon well-explained by quantum mechanics. Electron configuration, the arrangement of electrons in an atom, is an indispensable concept in chemistry as it dictates the atom's reactivity and the types of chemical bonds it can form.

• Negative electric charge: -1e
• Mass: Approximately 1/1836th of a proton's mass
• Lies outside the nucleus in energy levels
• Key role in chemical bonds and atom's behavior