Question

What determines an atom’s identity? Responses the valence number the valence number - no response given the number of protons the number of protons - no response given the number of neutrons the number of neutrons - no response given the number of electrons

Answer 1

An atom's identity is determined by the number of protons it possesses. The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom defines the element to which it belongs. For example, an atom with one proton is hydrogen, while an atom with six protons is carbon.

While the number of neutrons and electrons can vary (leading to isotopes and ions, respectively), the defining characteristic of an element is its proton number, also known as its atomic number.