Question

How is the atomic number of an element determined?

Answer 1

Hint: In nature, the atomic number of an element is the total of positive charges it has in its nucleus i.e. number of protons. In short, the number of protons found in an atom gives the atomic number of the same.

Complete step by step answer:
Let us discuss the protons and electrons in detail to answer the illustration;
- Protons-
The atomic number showcases the number of protons present in the nucleus of an atom. These are the positive entities of an atom present in the nucleus along with either equal or sometimes unequal number of neutrons.
- Electrons-
These are the revolving negative entities of an atom distributed along the shells of the same.
- Atomic number-
The number of protons will give the atomic number as stated above i.e.
Number of positive entities in the nucleus = Number of protons = Atomic number of the atom.
The atomic number of an element is a unique quantity which can simply be determined by observing the modern periodic table. The periodic table is being arranged in the increasing order of the atomic numbers.

Note: Do note to not to be confused with the isotopes of an element. The isotopes will have the same atomic number and will reside in the same position as that of the original element in the periodic table; the only difference it will have will be the number of neutrons.