Calculate the number of protons in an atom

What is the atomic number of an atom?

The atomic number of an atom is equal to the number of protons in its nucleus.

Protons are subatomic particles that carry a positive charge and are located in the nucleus of an atom. The number of protons in an atom is known as the atomic number, which is unique to each element. The atomic number determines the identity of an element and its position on the periodic table.

For example, hydrogen has an atomic number of 1, which means it has 1 proton in its nucleus. Oxygen has an atomic number of 8, indicating it has 8 protons. The number of protons in an atom directly influences its chemical properties and behavior in chemical reactions.

Therefore, to calculate the number of protons in an atom, you simply need to look up the atomic number of the element in the periodic table. The atomic number tells you how many protons are present in the nucleus of the atom.