While it is useful to visualize an Electron orbiting an atomicnucleus like a moon orbiting a planet.It is more realistic to think of the Electron as a standing wave(with a fixed number of wave crests and troughs) surrounding thenucleus. The electromagnetic force holds the Electron and nucleustogether. The Electron holds a negative electrical charge and thenucleus a positive electrical charge and the two attract oneanother.Therefore for each positive charge present in the atomic nucleus(the Protons) there must be a balancing negative charge (theElectrons) present round the atom.