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Atomic Number
ATOMIC NUMBER: The number of protons in the atom
The atomic number identifies an element.
The atomic number:
1. Is equal to the number of protons
2. Is equal to the NUCLEAR CHARGE (charge of the
nucleus).
Nuclear charge = number of protons. Since the protons are positive, so is the nuclear charge.
3. Determines the chemical properties of the element.
4. Never changes in an element.
F will always have 9 protons and an atomic number of 9.
UNIT 2: ATOMIC STRUCTURE © 37
