ATI TEAS 7 science review Related

Review ATI TEAS 7 science review related questions and content

What is the atomic number of an element?

  • A. The number of protons in an atom's nucleus.
  • B. The number of neutrons in an atom's nucleus.
  • C. The number of electrons in an atom's valence shell.
  • D. The number of isotopes of an element.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The atomic number of an element is the number of protons in an atom's nucleus. This number is crucial as it determines the element's identity and its position on the periodic table. Option B is incorrect because the number of neutrons can vary in isotopes but is not the atomic number. Option C is incorrect as the number of electrons in an atom's valence shell can vary based on the element's charge, not defining the atomic number. Option D is also incorrect because the number of isotopes is not the atomic number of an element.