when we speak of the number of protons an element has we refer to the course hero

What does the number of protons tell you in an element?

The number of protons determines an element's atomic number and is used to distinguish one element from another. The number of neutrons is variable, resulting in isotopes, which are different forms of the same atom that vary only in the number of neutrons they possess.

What can be said about the number of protons?

The number of protons in an atom of an element is its atomic number .

What do you call to the number of protons and it gives the atom its own identity?

Atoms of each element contain a characteristic number of protons. In fact, the number of protons determines what atom we are looking at (e.g., all atoms with six protons are carbon atoms); the number of protons in an atom is called the atomic number.

What is the number of atoms in a proton called?

atomic numberAtoms are neutral in electrical charge because they have the same number of negative electrons as positive protons (Table 4.5. 1). Therefore, the atomic number of an atom also tells you how many electrons the atom has....Atomic Number.NameHydrogenProtons1Neutrons0Electrons1Atomic Number (Z)15 more columns•Feb 6, 2021

What can you say about proton neutron and electron is associated with mass number?

Protons and neutrons have approximately the same mass, but they are both much more massive than electrons (approximately 2,000 times as massive as an electron). The positive charge on a proton is equal in magnitude to the negative charge on an electron.Feb 6, 2021

What is it called when there are more protons than electrons?

When an atom is attracted to another atom because it has an unequal number of electrons and protons, the atom is called an ION. If the atom has more electrons than protons, it is a negative ion, or ANION. If it has more protons than electrons,it is a positive ion.

What do you call to the sum of the number of protons and neutrons?

mass number, in nuclear physics, the sum of the numbers of protons and neutrons present in the nucleus of an atom.

What is the term for the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom?

Atomic number and mass number The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom is called its mass number.

What is the proton of oxygen?

8Oxygen / Atomic number

Why do protons define an element?

Protons contribute to the mass of an atom and provide the positive charge to the nucleus. The number of protons also determines the identity of the element. Electrons have a negative charge. Since the atom is electrically neutral, the number of electrons must equal the number of protons.Mar 25, 2014

Which atoms have the same number of protons?

All atoms of an element have the same number of protons, and every element has a different number of protons in its atoms. For example, all helium atoms have two protons, and no other elements have atoms with two protons....Atomic Number.NameHeliumNeutrons2Electrons2Atomic Number (Z)245 more columns•Nov 24, 2018

What are protons chemistry?

proton, stable subatomic particle that has a positive charge equal in magnitude to a unit of electron charge and a rest mass of 1.67262 × 10−27 kg, which is 1,836 times the mass of an electron.