What does the atomic number of an element represent?

The atomic number of an element is defined as the number of protons found in the nucleus of an atom of that element. It is a fundamental property that uniquely identifies each element on the periodic table. For example, hydrogen, which has an atomic number of 1, has one proton, while carbon, with an atomic number of 6, has six protons.

The atomic number is crucial because it determines not only the identity of the element but also its chemical properties and behavior. Additionally, in a neutral atom, the number of protons is equal to the number of electrons, which influences the atom's overall charge. However, the atomic number specifically refers to protons, distinguishing it from other concepts like atomic mass or neutron count, which pertain to different aspects of the atom's structure.