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atomic number
The number of protons in one atom of an element. Naturally occurring elements have atomic numbers ranging from 1 (hydrogen) to 92 (uranium). Atomic number (at. no.) has the symbol Z and is also known as the proton number. It is signified by a subscript number before the symbol for the element; for example, the atomic number for carbon is written 6C. Isotopes of an element all have the same atomic number but a different mass number.
The atomic number gives the following information:
- What the element is: only atoms of the same element have the same atomic number.
- The element's numbered position in the periodic table; the periodic table is arranged in atomic number order.
- The number of electrons in the neutral
atom.
Related categories
• ATOMIC AND NUCLEAR PHYSICS• PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
• PARTICLE PHYSICS
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