Question

Which of the following particles cannot be changed without changing the identity of the element?

a
proton
b
electron
c
neutron
d
neutrino particle

Answer 1

The particle that cannot be changed without changing the identity of the element is:

**a) proton**

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom defines the element and determines its identity on the periodic table. Changing the number of protons would change the element itself. In contrast, changing the number of electrons or neutrons may result in ions or isotopes of the same element, respectively, but the identity of the element remains unchanged.