What determines the atomic number of an atom?

atomic number. The number of protons in an atomic nucleus; it indicates the position of an element in the periodic table. The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. In electrically neutral atoms, this number is also equal to the number of electrons orbiting about the atom's nucleus. read more

The atomic number of an atom is equivalent to the number of protons in the nucleus. For a neutral atom, it is also the number of electrons since in a neutral atom protons and electrons are present in equal number. read more

The atomic number or proton number (symbol Z) of a chemical element is the number of protons found in the nucleus of an atom. It is identical to the charge number of the nucleus. The atomic number uniquely identifies a chemical element. read more