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The atomic number refers to the number of protons within an atom's nucleus and defines which element the atom is. And an ion is an atom with some level of positive or negative charge as a result of losing or gaining electrons, so ionisation has no effect on the atomic number (an ion of copper is still copper) and a negligable effect on the Atomic Mass - since electrons are relatively very light.
The only way the atomic number can change is through nuclear fission (elements decaying into isotopes and lower elements) or nuclear fusion (creating higher elements).
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Every element has its own atomic number the atomic number is the number of what?
the atomic number represents the number of protons in an elements atoms
What does the atomic number tells you?
The atomic number tells you how many protons and electrons are in a specific element.Atomic number tells us about protons. Number of protons that atom contains.
What determines the atomic number of a substance?
The atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, while the atomic mass is the total mass of the nucleus (both protons and neutrons)
Are most atoms neutral?
The atomic nucleus is not neutral, it is positively charged (the exact charge depends upon the element in question; the hydrogen nucleus is +1, the helium nucleus is +2, etc). The atom as a whole is electrically neutral, unless it becomes ionized.
What is a collection of atoms called?
A large collection of neutral atoms with the same atomic number is a sample of an element. Elements include include lithium, hydrogen, neon, and oxygen. Note that different isotopes of elements exist; these are atoms with the same atomic number but having a different number of neutrons.
