Explain the concept of atomic number and how it... - SS1 Physics Atomic Structure and Radioactivity Question

The atomic number of an element represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. It uniquely identifies an element because each element has a distinct number of protons. For example, hydrogen has an atomic number of 1, indicating it has one proton, while helium has an atomic number of 2, indicating it has two protons. The atomic number determines the element's position on the periodic table and its chemical properties.