Question

The atomic number is consider a unique atom and element identifier. Describe the associated subatomic particle, and how it can be used to identify the atom.
A) The number of electrons changes in a unique way as the charge on the atom changes.
B) The proton number remains constant through changing the atomic charge, energy, and isotopes.
C) As the atom absorbs photons the way the photons interact in the nucleus gives the atomic number.
D) All isotopes of the an element have the same number of neutrons allowing it to describe the unique atom.

Answer 1

The atomic number is consider a unique atom and element identifier. Describe the associated subatomic particle, and how it can be used to identify the atom.


B) The proton number remains constant through changing the atomic charge, energy, and isotopes.

Answer 2

The correct answer is B, " The proton number remains constant through changing atomic charge, energy, and isotopes." Atomic number is defined as the number of protons in the nucleus of that element. It would never change unless the element undergoes nuclear decay.

A is incorrect because even though the number of electrons change and determine the charge on a species it does not explain the unique identification of an element by its atomic number.

C is not correct because when an atom absorbs energy only the electrons get excited and move to higher energy levels. The protons would remain in the nucleus and still give the atomic number.

D is incorrect because an isotope is an atom of the same element with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons. Again the protons remain the same and we are able to know the element through its atomic number.