An element is defined by the number of ________ it contains.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An element is defined by the number of protons it contains. This number is referred to as the atomic number and it determines the identity of the element. Electrons and neutrons contribute to the properties of the element but they do not define the element itself. Nuclei is not a relevant option as it is the plural form of nucleus, which is a part of an atom and not a defining characteristic of an element.

An Element Is Defined by the Number of ________ It