atomic number

atomic number
the number of positive charges or protons in the nucleus of an atom of a given element, and therefore also the number of electrons normally surrounding the nucleus. Abbr.: at. no.; Symbol: Z Also called proton number.
[1815-25]

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Number of a chemical element in the systematic, ordered sequence shown in the periodic table.

The elements are arranged in order of increasing number of protons in the nucleus of the atom (the same as the number of electrons in the neutral atom), and that number for each element is its atomic number.

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      the number of a chemical element (q.v.) in the periodic system, whereby the elements are arranged in order of increasing number of protons in the nucleus. Accordingly, the number of protons, which is always equal to the number of electrons in the neutral atom, is also the atomic number. An atom of iron has 26 protons in its nucleus; therefore the atomic number of iron is 26.

      In the symbol representing a particular nuclear or atomic species, the atomic number may be indicated as a left subscript. An atom or a nucleus of iron (chemical symbol Fe), for example, may be written 26Fe.

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Universalium. 2010.

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