Why is it impossible for an element to have an atomic number of 110.5? (1 point)

Question

Responses

Atoms of an element all have the same whole number of protons and neutrons.
Atoms of an element all have the same whole number of protons and neutrons.

​Exactly half of the isotopes would need an atomic number of 110, and half would need an atomic number of 111, which is very unlikely.
​Exactly half of the isotopes would need an atomic number of 110, and half would need an atomic number of 111, which is very unlikely.

Atoms with atomic numbers greater than 100 are unstable.
Atoms with atomic numbers greater than 100 are unstable.

The atomic number is the number of protons, which is always a whole number.

Answer 1

The statement that explains why it is impossible for an element to have an atomic number of 110.5 is:

The atomic number is the number of protons, which is always a whole number.

Atomic numbers must be whole numbers because they represent the count of protons in the nucleus of an atom, and protons are individual particles. Therefore, an atomic number of 110.5 does not exist.