Final answer:
The scientist studying element r needs more information to determine its specific identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scientist is studying an element that has been referred to as element r. The identity of an element is determined by its atomic number, which is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of the element. The names of elements are listed in the periodic table along with their symbols, atomic numbers, and atomic masses. However, until an element name is recognized by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), the recommended name is based on the Latin word(s) for its atomic number.
In this case, since the scientist does not know the name of the element, we cannot determine its specific identity without more information. The scientist would need to consult the periodic table or perform further experiments to identify the element.