What subatomic particles orbit around the nucleus of an atom?

Electrons are the subatomic particles that orbit around the nucleus of an atom. In the atomic structure, the nucleus is made up of protons and neutrons, which are located at the center of the atom. Electrons, which have a negative charge, are found in regions surrounding the nucleus known as electron shells or energy levels. Their behavior and arrangement in these shells are critical to understanding chemical bonding and the properties of elements.

The other choices do not refer to particles that orbit the nucleus. Protons and neutrons reside within the nucleus itself, contributing to the atomic mass and stability rather than engaging in orbital motion. Atoms, on the other hand, are the building blocks of matter and consist of a nucleus plus the surrounding electrons, but they are not subatomic particles themselves. Therefore, the correct answer identifies electrons accurately as those that exist in orbital paths around the nucleus.