What the atomic number in a element refers to?

Answer 1

The atomic number of an element is given based on the number of protons in the nucleus of all the atoms of that particular element. This applies regardless of the number of neutrons or electrons in any atom of that element. Atoms are initially classified according to the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, and this will identify which element the atom is.

We know that the number of neutrons a given atom of any element can vary, and these will be classified as isotopes of that element. We also know that the number of electrons in any atom will vary, too. Atoms with a neutral charge will have the same number of electrons as protons, but the number of electrons can vary for a number of reasons. The number of protons, however will allow an investigator to identify an atom as being a particular element, and the atom will be further classified from there according to the number of neutrons and/or electrons it has.

Answer 2

The atomic number of an atom indicates the number of protons in its nucleus. For example, carbon's atomic number is 6 because it has 6 protons in its nucleus. If the number of protons in carbon's nucleus were to change, it would cease to be carbon and its atomic number would change.

Answer 3

The atomic number or proton number (symbol Z) of a chemical element is the number of protons found in the nucleus of an atom. It is identical to the charge number of the nucleus. The atomic number uniquely identifies a chemical element. In an uncharged atom, the atomic number is also equal to the number of electrons.

Answer 4

The atomic number of an element refers to the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of that element. It determines the element's position on the Periodic Table and is unique to each element. Changing the number of protons would change the element itself.

Answer 5

The number of protons in the nucleus of that atom.

Answer 6

The atomic number of an element refers to the number of protons in each atom of the element.

Answer 7

The atomic number is the number of protons or the number of electrons of a neutral atom of that specific element.

Answer 8

The number of protons in an element/atom