Protons in the Nucleus

The identity of the atom (what element it is) is determined by the number of protons in the nucleus. This number is called the atomic number and is sometimes symbolized by a Z (for “ze atomic noombehr” –sounds almost reasonable if said with a silly French accent). The atomic number is the large integer in each box of the periodic table. It doesn't matter where in the box the number is placed (see examples below), it will always be an integer and always be large enough to find easily.

 

So, for instance, in the box for carbon (symbol – C) the integer is 6. That means that any atom that has 6 protons and carbon and any atom that does not have 6 protons is not carbon.

Each protons weighs approximately 1 amu (atomic mass units) and has a charge of +1 (that’s 1 electron charge, or 1.79x10^-19 Coulombs)

For more information about:

• neutrons in the nucleus
• electrons in the atom

back to atomic structure