The subatomic particle that determines the identity of an atom is the proton. The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom is what determines the atomic number and thus the identity of the atom.
The subatomic particle that determines the identity of an atom is the proton. Protons carry a positive charge and are located in the nucleus of an atom. The number of protons in the nucleus is the atomic number of the element and determines its identity. For example, hydrogen atoms have one proton, carbon atoms have six protons, and oxygen atoms have eight protons.
The subatomic particle that determines the identity of an atom is called the proton. Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom. Each proton has an electric charge of +1, and the number of protons in an atom defines its atomic number. Different elements have a unique number of protons, so by counting the number of protons in an atom, you can determine its element. For example, if an atom has six protons, it is carbon, while an atom with 26 protons is iron. To find the identity of an atom, you can consult the periodic table, which lists elements in increasing order of atomic number.
