The atomic number of an atom corresponds to which quantity?

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Multiple Choice

The atomic number of an atom corresponds to which quantity?

Explanation:
The atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus. This single count uniquely identifies the element and determines its position in the periodic table. The mass number, by contrast, is the sum of protons and neutrons, so it’s not the atomic number. Neutrons alone are a separate quantity that can vary among isotopes. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons, but the definition of atomic number is specifically protons.

The atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus. This single count uniquely identifies the element and determines its position in the periodic table. The mass number, by contrast, is the sum of protons and neutrons, so it’s not the atomic number. Neutrons alone are a separate quantity that can vary among isotopes. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons, but the definition of atomic number is specifically protons.

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