What is Atomic Number?
The amount of protons in an element determines its atomic number, which is used to differentiate one element from another. The amount of protons and neutrons combined determines an element’s mass number.
Modern periodic table is arranged so that all elements have an increasing atomic number and, as a result, an increasing mass number. But do you know what a mass number or atomic number, is? As you may know, an atom is made up of electrons, protons, and neutrons. The amount of electrons in the atom’s outermost shell determines its valency. Similarly, the number of protons and neutrons in an atom is related to its atomic number and mass number.
Hence, atomic number is the total number of protons present in a nucleus of an atom. It is generally represented by the symbol Z.
Atomic Number Definition
Atomic Number (Z) of a chemical element is equal to the number of protons occupied by the nucleus of an atom of the element. The atomic Number of Elements is simply the charge number of the nucleus as neutrons carry no net electrical charge.
Atomic Number Definition NCERT
The atomic number is defined as the total number of protons present in the nucleus of an atom.
Elements are characterised by their proton count. In hydrogen, Z = 1, as it contains a single proton in its nucleus. Likewise, for carbon, Z = 6, denoting its six protons.
The atomic number determines the identity of an element and many of its chemical properties. The modern periodic table is ordered by increasing atomic numbers.
Atomic Number
Atomic number of an element refers to the number of protons present in its nucleus. It’s also called the nuclear charge number and is symbolized by Z. In a nonionized atom, the atomic number equals the number of orbiting electrons.
The atomic number defines the identity of an element. For instance, carbon, with six protons, remains a carbon atom irrespective of how many neutrons it has neutron. The atomic number serves as the unique identifier for each element.
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