Answer: The correct answer is proton.
Explanation:
Atom is a smallest unit of the matter. It consists of proton, neutron and electrons. They are the subatomic particle of the atom.
Electron is negatively charged particle. Proton is a positively charged particle.
Neutron has no charge.
Atomic number of the atom is equal to the number of protons present in the nucleus of the atom. It identifies the chemical element.
In an atom having no charge, the atomic number is equal to the number of electrons.
If the atom is negatively or positively charged, then the number of electrons will vary.
Therefore, The number of proton in the atom is what determines whether the atom is a potassium atom, a hydrogen atom, or an oxygen atom.
The number of protons in an atom determines the element to which the atom belongs.
Further Explanation:
An atom is considered to be the building block of the matter. It is the smallest unit that results in the formation of the matter. An atom consists of the electrons, protons and neutrons inside it. The protons and neutrons are present inside the nucleus whereas the electrons revolve around the nucleus.
The protons are the positively charged particles whereas the electrons are the negatively charged particles. The neutrons do not have any charge.
The atomic number of an atom is given by the number of protons present in the atom. Therefore, the number of protons plays an important role in determining the chemical element of which the atom is a part.
The number of electrons in an atom is not always equal to the number of protons because the number varies depending on the amount of charge on the atom. Therefore, the number of protons in an atom determines the element to which the atom belongs.
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Answer Details:
Grade: High School
Chapter: Atoms
Subject: Physics
Keywords: Number of, protons, electrons, neutrons, potassium atom, hydrogen atom, oxygen atom, atomic number, charge on an atom.
