Which particle in an atom has a negative charge and orbits the nucleus?

The correct answer is based on the fundamental structure of an atom. An atom consists of a nucleus made up of protons and neutrons, with electrons orbiting around this nucleus. Electrons are the particles that carry a negative electric charge, which is critical to the behavior of atoms and their interactions with one another.

When considering the role of the other particles: protons, found in the nucleus, carry a positive charge; neutrons, also in the nucleus, have no charge; and quarks, which are the constituents of protons and neutrons, do not exist independently in an atomic structure without forming these heavier particles. Thus, it is the electron that is specifically defined by its negative charge and the fact that it orbits the nucleus, making it the correct choice in this context.