Atomic number of a chemical element is the number of proton particles in the nucleus of an atom. In chemistry the symbol for atomic number is the letter Z. Since a neutron has no charge while protons have a positive charge the atomic number of an atom is the same as the charge number of the atom's nucleus.

Atoms with different numbers of neutron particles but with the same atomic number are known as a chemical element's isotope. If an atom is uncharged the atomic number is the same as the number of electron particles the atom has. If the number of electrons in an atom is not equal to the atomic number the atom is either a negative or positive ion.

The atomic number of a chemical element determines the position of the element on the periodic table of chemical elements.

Photo Source: revitabeau.org

• hede-io
• science
• en
• education
• technology
• chemistry