Which particle is characterized as negatively charged and orbits the nucleus of an atom?

The particle that is characterized as negatively charged and orbits the nucleus of an atom is the electron. Electrons are subatomic particles that possess a fundamental charge of -1, meaning they carry a negative charge. In an atom, they occupy various energy levels or orbitals around the positively charged nucleus, which consists of protons and neutrons. This arrangement is crucial to the overall structure of an atom, as the attraction between the negatively charged electrons and the positively charged protons in the nucleus holds the atom together.

In contrast, protons are positively charged and found in the nucleus, while neutrons are neutral and also reside in the nucleus. Quarks are fundamental constituents of protons and neutrons, but they do not orbit the nucleus as electrons do.