WE CANNOT IDENTIFY AN ELEMENT BASED ON THE NUMBER OF ELECTRONS AN ATOM HAS
The atomic number of an element is fixed for that element. However, the mass number of an element may vary, as different isotopes of the same element have different numbers of neutrons for the same atomic number. Think of the example of 3He and 4He. Both are isotopes of helium, and both have atomic number Z=2. However, 3He has 2 protons and 1 neutron, hence mass number A=3, while 4He has 2 protons and 2 neutrons, hence mass number A=4. They are both the same element, i.e. He, but with different mass numbers. So the mass number alone cannot uniquely identify an element. But the number of protons in the nucleus identifies it uniquely. In addition, if the atom is neutral, then the atomic number also equals the number of electrons in its orbitals. The chemical reactive possibilities of the element are determined by the configuration of those electrons.
the mass number alone cannot uniquely identify an element. But the number of protons in the nucleus identifies it uniquely. In addition, if the atom is neutral, then the atomic number also equals the number of electrons in its orbitals.
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WE CANNOT IDENTIFY AN ELEMENT BASED ON THE NUMBER OF ELECTRONS AN ATOM HAS
The atomic number of an element is fixed for that element. However, the mass number of an element may vary, as different isotopes of the same element have different numbers of neutrons for the same atomic number. Think of the example of 3He and 4He. Both are isotopes of helium, and both have atomic number Z=2. However, 3He has 2 protons and 1 neutron, hence mass number A=3, while 4He has 2 protons and 2 neutrons, hence mass number A=4. They are both the same element, i.e. He, but with different mass numbers. So the mass number alone cannot uniquely identify an element. But the number of protons in the nucleus identifies it uniquely. In addition, if the atom is neutral, then the atomic number also equals the number of electrons in its orbitals. The chemical reactive possibilities of the element are determined by the configuration of those electrons.
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Answer:
the mass number alone cannot uniquely identify an element. But the number of protons in the nucleus identifies it uniquely. In addition, if the atom is neutral, then the atomic number also equals the number of electrons in its orbitals.
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