Question

How are elements and atoms related?

Answer 1

Hint Before solving this question, first we have to understand the basic definitions of atoms and elements. We all know that the atom is the smallest unit while the molecule is the combination of two or more atoms.

Complete step by step solution:
Electrons, protons and neutrons are the subatomic particles. Electrons are the subatomic particle which carries a negative charge, while protons are the subatomic particle with a positive charge and neutrons are the subatomic particle which has no charge. Protons and neutrons both are present in the nucleus of the atom whereas electrons revolve around the nucleus.
We know that atoms are the smallest unit while elements consist of atoms with the same number of protons in the nucleus. For example, some elements are nitrogen, phosphorus etc they contain atoms with 7, 15 protons in their nuclei. Another example is we know gold is an element, the smallest piece of gold that has the same characteristics is a single atom of gold.

Additional information:
Atomic number is the number of protons present in the nucleus of every atom of that element. Mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons present in the nucleus of the atom. Protons and neutrons are collectively known as nucleons.

Note: The constituent particles of an atom are protons, neutrons, electrons and many other particles. But in the beginning of the atom theory the atom was considered the smallest particle which cannot be divided further.