Question

How is atomic number related to the number of protons and electrons?

Answer 1

The modern periodic table has the basis that properties of elements are the periodic function of their atomic number. This shows that elements in the periodic table are arranged in increasing order of their atomic number.

Complete step-by-step answer: Atoms of every element contain some subatomic particles called electrons, protons and neutrons. An atom consists of protons as positively charged species that are present in the nucleus, while electrons are negatively charged particles that surround the nucleus in various orbits.
The term atomic number is used to classify and arrange the elements in the modern periodic table. This atomic number denoted by Z is the total number of protons or electrons that are present in an atom.
As electrons and protons only differ in charges of negative and positive respectively, their amount in each atom is similar. So, it can be inferred that atomic number of an element is the amount of electrons and protons present in an atom this can be written as:
Atomic number (Z) = Number of electrons = Number of protons
For example, Carbon contains 6 protons and 6 electrons; hence, its atomic number is 6. While, oxygen contains 8 protons and 8 electrons, so its atomic number is 8.
Hence, atomic number is the number of protons or number of electrons in an atom.

Note: Atomic number is number of protons equal to number of protons, while the atomic mass of elements is the total sum of number of protons and number of electrons in an atom. Like, atomic mass of carbon is 6+6= 12 atomic mass units.