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How can atoms of two elements that have a different number of protons have the same charge?
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
The charge of an atom depends on the number of protons and the number of electrons. If the number of protons and electrons is the same, which is generally regarded as the normal state, then the atom will be neutral with no charge. If there is a difference in the number, then the charge will be equal to the number of protons minus the number of electrons.
As an example, both sodium and potassium will commonly lose one electron to form an ion with a +1 charge. A neutral sodium atom has 11 protons and 11 electrons while potassium will have 19 of the same. Sodium loses an electron leaving it with 10 electrons. 11-10=1.
Potassium loses an electron, leaving it with 18 electrons. 19-18=1.
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
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Do atoms of different elements have a different number of protons?
Yes, atoms of different elements have a different number of protons.
Can to different elements contain the same number of protons?
No, the number of protons defines what element an atom belongs to. If two atoms are of different elements then they have different number of protons.
What do different elements have different numbers of?
Different elements have different numbers of protons. The number of protons identifies the element.
How are elements determind?
Elelments are determined by the amount of protons they have. While different elements can have the same number of neutrons and protons, no two different elements can have the same amount of protons.
Can 2 different elements have the same number of protons?
No, the number of protons is what determines what element it is
Why atomic number of different elements are different?
Because different elements have different numbers of protons, which determines the atomic number.
Atoms of different elements always contain different number of what?
well of protons, STOP CHEATING IN WIKIANSWERS AND DO YOUR WORK
No two different elements will have the?
No two different elements will have the same number of protons.
Do atoms of a different element have different numbers of protons?
Yes, atoms of different elements have a different number of protons.
In chemistry what is an elements nuclear charge?
I think you mean its atomic number, which is the number of protons in the nucleus
Do atoms of different elements have the same number of protons?
no
How is calcium different from the other elements?
its number of protons
