What is the subatomic particle that determines the name of an atom?

1 Answer
anor277
Sep 14, 2016

The identity of the element is determined by the number of protons.........

Explanation:

The identity of the element is determined by the number of protons, which are positively charged, massive nuclear particles. The number of protons in a nucleus is given by #Z#, the atomic number.

For #Z=1#, the element is #H#; #Z=2#, the element is #He#; #Z=3#, the element is #Li#........................#Z=78#, the element is #Pt#. Of course, each atom may contain various numbers of neutrons, massive, neutrally charge nuclear particles; the which give rise to the existence of isotopes.

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