Which statement best explains why hydrogen’s atomic number is equal to its mass?(1 point)ResponsesHydrogen only has one electronHydrogen only has one electronHydrogen is in the first row and the first column of the periodic table.Hydrogen is in the first row and the first column of the periodic table.Hydrogen does not have any neutrons.Hydrogen does not have any neutrons.Hydrogen is stable, with two electrons in its outer shell.

1 answer

The statement that best explains why hydrogen's atomic number is equal to its mass is: Hydrogen does not have any neutrons.

Hydrogen has an atomic number of 1, which means it has 1 proton and, in its most common isotope (protium), it has no neutrons. The atomic mass of protium is approximately 1 atomic mass unit (amu), which corresponds to its single proton. Thus, hydrogen's atomic number (1) is equal to its mass (approximately 1) because it has only one proton and no neutrons.