Question detail
What defines the atomic number 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
- B. The number of electrons
- C. The number of protons
- D. The total number of particles
Answer
The atomic number is defined by the number of protons in an atom of an element.
Explanation
The atomic number uniquely identifies an element and is equal to the number of protons in its nucleus.
Common mistake
Common Mistake in Electron Charge
Students often state that the relative electrical charge of an electron is +1.
Remember that the relative electrical charge of an electron is -1. Keep the correction anchored to Relative electrical charges of subatomic particles and avoid mixing it with nearby Unit 4.1 ideas.
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