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The defining characteristic of an element is the number of protons in the nucleus. Copper always has 29 protons. It may have different numbers of neutrons, as in the common isotopes copper-63 and copper-65 which have 34 and 36 neutrons respectively.

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The number of protons.

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Q: What must be the same to determine if two atoms are copper?
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Why did John Dalton think that elements are made of single atoms?

The constant proportions - combining different substances into other substances always required the same proportions of each substances; in the case of gases, the numbers come in simple ratios. For example, 2 volume units of hydrogen + 1 volume unit of oxigen combine to form water.


A neutral atom has the same number of protons as it does neutrons?

no. an atom is made up of protons neutrons and electrons. protons have a charge of plus one electrons have a charge of minus one neutrons have no charge. therefore the number of protons and electrons must be equal (balancing the charges) for the atom to be neutral. ;)


How does the idea of atoms explain the priciple of conservation of matter?

The idea of atoms explains the conservation of matter. In chemical reactions, the number of atoms stays the same no matter how they are arranged. So, their total mass stays the same.


Why do all atoms have a different number of protons?

Dear questioner,As an answer to your question I should mention there are atoms which have the same number of protons but are considered different. These atoms are called Isotopes. Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons but the number of Neutrons are not the same. Isotopes have the same chemical virtues but in the physical virtues related to mass they are a bit different.


Isotopes are atoms that have the same number of protons but a different?

Isotopes are atoms of a given element that have the same number of protons but a different mass number and therefore a different number of neutrons.