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Neutrons themselves do not help directly identify an element since they are neutral particles and do not interact electromagnetically like protons and electrons. However, the number of neutrons, when combined with the number of protons (which defines the element), helps determine the isotopes of an element. Isotopes can have different physical properties and can be used in various applications, such as dating materials or medical imaging. Thus, while neutrons are not used to identify elements directly, they contribute to understanding an element's isotopic composition.

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What number identify an element?

The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus of that element; it will identify the element. The number of neutrons of a given element may be different as the element may have a number of isotopes.


Can you identify an atom without number of neutrons in it?

Every element has a specific number of protons, which is how an element is identified. That gives its atomic number. The number of neutrons can vary, and therefore is not useful in identifying an element.


Why must you know both how many protons and how many neutrons an element has in order to fully identify it?

The number of protons determine what element it is, the number of neutrons determine what isotope it is.


What is an atom's mass number?

An atom's mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus. It is used to identify isotopes of an element since isotopes of the same element have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.


Why doesn't the number of neutrons identify an element?

The number of neutrons in an atom does not identify the element because different isotopes of an element can have the same number of protons (which determines the element) but varying numbers of neutrons. Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons, but differing numbers of neutrons.


The mass number of an element is equal to the total number of?

The mass number is the average atomic mass of all the isotopes that are found in nature.


Finding the number of neutrons in an element?

To find the number of neutrons in an element, subtract the atomic number (number of protons) from the mass number (sum of protons and neutrons). Neutrons do not carry a charge and help stabilize the nucleus of an atom.


Where do you find the neutrons on the element?

Neutrons are found in the atomic nucleus of an element, along with protons. They have no electrical charge and help stabilize the nucleus. The number of neutrons in an element can vary, leading to different isotopes.


What subatomic particle helps identify the element's identity?

There is no individual sub-atomic particle that is responsible for the identity of an element. It is the way the electrons, protons and (neutrons) are arranged in an element that gives it it's identity.


Can atoms of two different elements have the same number of neutrons?

Number of protons in in an element denote the type of element. So you identify element on the number of protons in it. Protons being positively charged can not sit together in a nucleus. They will repel each other. So you do not have an element in which only 2 or more protons and no neutrons are there.It means neutrons act as binding material in an element. So usually equal or more neutrons are there in an element. If same number of neutrons are there in nucleus but different number of protons, then it is no more a same but different element. An element in which different number of neutrons are there are called as Isotope. All element have got one or more Isotopes. So there 'physical' properties would differ but not 'chemical' property.


How many neutrons are in the element gold?

There are 118 neutrons in the element gold.


Can you identify an atom without knowing number of neutrons in it?

Yes, and in order to find the Number of Neutrons, subtract Atomic Mass from Number Of Protons, the result will be the Number of Neutrons for that atom *No. Of Neutron=Atomic Mass - Number Of Protons