Question detail
What defines the identity of an element?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
A simple model of the atom, symbols, relative atomic mass, electronic charge and isotopes
Question
- A. The number of neutrons in the nucleus
- B. The number of protons in the nucleus
- C. The number of electrons surrounding the nucleus
- D. The mass number of the atom
Answer
The number of protons in the nucleus
Explanation
The number of protons, also known as the atomic number, uniquely identifies an element.
Common mistake
Confusing Protons with Electrons
Students often think that atoms of different elements have different numbers of electrons instead of protons.
Remember that the defining characteristic of an element is its number of protons, which is unique for each element.
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