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Protons determine which element an atom is.

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14y ago

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What part of the nucleaus can change and not change the identity of the element?

The number of protons in the nucleus affects the elemental identity of an atom, whereas the number of neutrons does not affect which element an atom belongs to.


Does an atom retain the chemical identity of an element?

An isotope is an atom that contains a different number of neutrons. In order for an element to change there has to be a different number of protons.


Will variations in neutrons change the identity of the element?

Yes, variations in the number of neutrons in an atom will change its isotope, but not its identity as an element. Isotopes of the same element have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.


What is the smallest component in an element?

The smallest unit of a chemical element is the atom.


What happens when the number of protons in an atom change?

When the number of protons in an atom changes, the identity of the element changes because the number of protons determines the element's atomic number. If the number of protons changes, the atom becomes a different element. This process is called nuclear fusion or fission.


Why doesnt the number of protons change for a single element while the neutrons and electrons can?

The number of protons in an atom determines its identity as a specific element. Changing the number of protons would change the element. Neutrons and electrons can be added or removed without changing the identity of the element since they do not affect the element's chemical properties.


Does the identity of an atom change during radioactive decay.why or why not?

Well, when an atom undergoes radioactive decay, it can change into a different element. This happens because the nucleus of the atom becomes unstable and releases particles or energy to become more stable. So, while the identity of the atom may change, it's all just a part of nature's way of finding balance and harmony in the universe.


What subatomic particle gives you the atomic number?

Protons.The atomic number of an atom is the number of protons in the atom. The identity of an atom is based on its atomic number, so a change in the number of protons mean an atom has turned into a different element. However, an addition or subtraction of neutrons creates different isotopes of an element, and a change in the number of electrons creates an ion of the element.


Is the smallest part of an element is one atom?

The electron is the smallest component.


What happens to an atom if then number of protons change?

The number of protons determines the type of element that the atom is.One proton = hydrogentwo protons = helium.three protons = lithum.six protons = carbon.seven protons = nitrogen.eight protons = oxygen.etc.If you change the number of protons then you change the element


What is the fundamental component of an element?

The fundamental component of an element is the atom. Each element is made up of atoms that contain a specific number of protons in their nucleus, which determines the element's unique properties.


Which of the following determines the identity of an element atomic number mass number atomic mass or overall change?

Atomic number determines the identity of an element. It represents the number of protons in an atom's nucleus, which is unique to each element. Mass number refers to the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus, while atomic mass is the average mass of an element's isotopes. Overall charge is determined by the number of protons and electrons in an atom, but it does not uniquely identify the element.