Question

What is the atomic number of steel?

Answer 1

Hint: Atomic number of any element is the total number of protons which is equal to the total number of electrons in that element. Alloys are formed when two or elements mix together and make a substance of variable properties. Steel is an alloy made from iron metal.

Complete answer:
Alloys are the substances that are made by the mixing of more than one element. Steel is a type of an alloy that is made to improve the qualities of its constituent metals. Steel is majorly used in making various infrastructures, utensils, etc.
An atomic number of an element is the number of the electrons which is equal to the number of protons present in that atom. So the atomic number is identified only for atoms. Therefore steel cannot have an atomic number as it is not an element.
But the atomic number which can be given to steel is the atomic number of the constituents present in it. Steel is an alloy made of iron. The other elements include, carbon, chromium, copper manganese, etc.
Therefore we can give steel the atomic number of its major constituent which is iron. As iron has an atomic number of 26, so the atomic number of steel is 26.
Hence, as steel is an alloy of iron, it is given the atomic number same as iron that is 26.

Note:
It is to be remembered that steel does not have any atomic number or mass, due to it being an alloy. Types of steel may include stainless steel that has 10.5 % of chromium, which is used in making utensils. Carbon steels, which have only carbon and iron as their major components. Alloy steel that has nickel, copper, chromium, and aluminum. Majorly, transition metals are used in making alloys.