What is #Z_"atomic number"# for hydrogen?

1 Answer
anor277 · shr
Oct 30, 2016

For #""^1H#, #Z#, the atomic number #=# #1#.

Explanation:

#Z# defines the number of massive, positively charged, nuclear particles, and thus determines the identity of the element: #Z=1#, hydrogen, #Z=2#, helium.........#Z=23#, vanadium.

Most hydrogen nuclei have no neutrons in their nuclei, i.e. the #""^2H#, #""^3H# isotopes are rare, and thus there are no neutrons in #""^1H#. IF there is one positive charge in the nucleus, the NEUTRAL element must contain 1 electron, which is conceived to whizz about the nucleus. Why must there be 1 electron in the neutral element?

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