A single electron orbiting a proton can occupy only certain, discrete energy levels, which are described by the laws of quantum mechanics.
Scientific American
(Apr 19, 2013)
a particel with an electic charge (-e) found inside of atoms but outside the nucleus.
A single electron orbiting a proton can occupy only certain, discrete energy levels, which are described by the laws of quantum mechanics.
Scientific American
(Apr 19, 2013)
a particle with an electric charge (+e) found in the nuclues of atoms.
quantity of protons in the nucleus of an atom of an element
After this discovery, chemists turned to using atomic number as the fundamental ordering principle for the periodic table, instead of atomic weight.
Scientific American
(Jan 21, 2011)
the number of protons in the nucleus. The atomic number determines what element the atom represents.
Almost all elements have onr or more isotopes that are stable.
The nucleus stays together. The nucleus of an atom becomes unstable if it contains too many or too few neutrons relative to the number of protons. If the nucleus is unstable, it breaks apart.