Question

What is the one thing that determines the identity of an atom?

Answer 1

The atomic number, which represents the number of protons in the nucleus, determines the identity of an atom.

Step-by-step explanation:

The one thing that determines the identity of an atom is its atomic number (Z), which is the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom. Each element has its own unique atomic number, which differentiates it from other elements. For example, hydrogen has an atomic number of 1, while iron has an atomic number of 26.

In a neutral atom, the number of protons is equal to the number of electrons. The identity of an element is defined by its atomic number and the number of protons and electrons it has.

The atomic number plays a crucial role in the chemistry of an element as it determines the element's properties and behavior in chemical reactions.

Answer 2

Atomic Number

Step-by-step explanation:

The atomic number tells you the placement of an atom on the periodic table. It is the number of protons found in the nucleus of an atom. All atoms have a different number of protons, thus different atomic number which makes it a good identifier of an atom.