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The proton.

Usually the number of protons and electrons are the same (in a neutral atom), but if the atom is an ion and has a charge, then the numbers will be different (and the difference will be the ion's charge, positive or negative depending on which number is higher.)

There can be isotopes of the same element with differing numbers of neutrons.

But as long an atom has 12 protons, even if it has 500 neutrons and elections (no, that won't happen), it's always still a carbon atom.

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12y ago
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5mo ago

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom determines what element it is. Each element has a unique number of protons, known as its atomic number.

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4y ago

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Q: Which subatomic particle determines what element the atom is?
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Related questions

What subatomic particle determines which elementan atom is?

The number of protons is determining the element


What subatomic particle determines which element it is?

The number of protons in an atom determines which element it is (i.e Silver-47 protons vs. Gold-79 protons)


Which subatomic particle identifies an atom as that of particular element?

The number of protons defines the element.


Subatomic particle that defines the element?

The subatomic particle that defines the element is the proton. The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom determines the element's atomic number, which differentiates one element from another on the periodic table.


What subatomic particle is the MOST important when trying to figure out what the element is?

The number of protons tells you which chemical element the atom is. The number of neutrons determines the isotope of the element.


Which subatomic particle determines the charge on a nucleus of an atom?

The proton.


What subatomic particle determines whether an atom exists as an isotope?

neutron


Which subatomic particle idetifies an atom as that of a particular element?

The number of protons defines the element.


What of these subatomic particles are represented by atomic number?

Protons are the subatomic particles represented by the atomic number of an element. The atomic number is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's identity on the periodic table.


Which subatomic particle matters most when determining the identity of an element?

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom determines the identity of an element. This is because the number of protons uniquely identifies an element on the periodic table.


How can you find the number of each subatomic particle found in an atom of a particular element?

By looking at the atom.


Is hydrogen is a subatomic particle?

No, it is an element - a type of atom. The positive hydrogen ion, on the other hand, is usually identical with the proton, which is a subatomic particle.