In chemistry, the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom is known as the atomic number, which determines the chemical element to which the atom belongs. For example, the atomic number of chlorine is 17; this means that each chlorine atom has 17 protons and that all atoms with 17 protons are chlorine atoms.
A proton is a component of an atomic nucleus with a mass defined as 1 and a charge of +1. A proton is indicated by either the symbol p or p +. The atomic number of an element is the number of protons an atom of that element contains. Because both protons and neutrons are found in the atomic nucleus, they are collectively known as nucleons. The atomic number or proton number is defined as the total number of protons in the nucleus and is given the symbol Z. The number of electrons in an electrically-neutral atom is the same as the atomic number. The total electrical charge of the nucleus is therefore +Ze. Source: chemwiki.ucdavis.edu.The proton is a subatomic particle with a positive electrical charge. They are found in every atomic nucleus of every element. In almost every element, protons are accompanied by neutrons. The only exception is the nucleus of the simplest element, hydrogen. Hydrogen contains only a single proton and no neutrons.
Number of protons = number of electrons = atomic number. Number of neutrons = mass number - atomic number. Key fact. Remember that Protons are Positive, and Neutrons are Neutral. Question.
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