What do atomic numbers represent?

Answer 1

The atomic number, #Z#, is the number of positively charged particles within the nucleus.

So #Z# defines the identity of the element, if #Z# #=# #1#, the element is hydrogen; if #Z# #=# #3#, the element is lithium; if #Z# #=# #23#, the element is vanadium.

Do you need to memorize these numbers? Absolutely not! You are required to have a copy of the Periodic Table with you for every chemistry and physics exam you take.

So, if #Z# represents the number of positively charged nuclear particles, how many electrons, negatively charged particles does the neutral element contain?

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Answer 2

Wyatt Atkins

The number of protons in an atom's nucleus is represented by its atomic number.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.