Why is it impossible for an element to have an atomic number of 110.5

1 answer

The atomic number of an element is defined as the number of protons in its nucleus. Since protons are discrete particles, the number of protons must always be a whole number. Consequently, atomic numbers can only be whole numbers (integers), not fractions or decimals.

An atomic number of 110.5 would imply that there is a non-integer number of protons, which is not physically possible. Therefore, no element can have an atomic number of 110.5. The highest atomic number that has been confirmed is 118, corresponding to the element oganesson (Og).

Similar Questions
  1. name the element wsith the atomic number z= 15 and the atomic mass number 31.How many electrons does the neutral of this lement
    1. answers icon 1 answer
    1. answers icon 9 answers
  2. Question 21A student looks up an element on the periodic table. The table says that the atomic number of the element is 12 and
    1. answers icon 1 answer
    1. answers icon 1 answer
more similar questions