What is the atomic number equal to?
1 Answer
Mar 29, 2016
Explanation:
While the atomic number defines elemental identity, the atomic nucleus may contain various numbers of neutrons, massive, neutrally charged, nuclear particles. This gives rise to the existence of isotopes. Both protons and neutrons engage in the strong nuclear force, a short range force that is orders of magnitude greater than the repulsive electrostatic force between protons, and acts to bind the nucleus together.