Question

If an element has electrons then what will be its atomic number?

Answer 1

To solve this question, first we need to understand that the atomic number of the element is linearly dependent on the number of electrons present in the element or basically the number of protons present in the element.

Complete answer:
To solve this question, first, let’s have a look at the basic structure of the element.
So elements consist of atoms. The atom consists of the positively dense center known as the nucleus which contains protons and neutrons.
Around the nucleus are the orbits in which the electrons revolve continuously and they can jump from one energy shell to the other.
So, also we know that the atomic number of the element is equal to the number of protons present in the atom.
I.e atomic number $=$ number of protons present in the atom
Also, we are aware of the fact that the number of protons is equal to the number of electrons in the neutral atom.
I.e number of protons present in the atom $=$ number of electrons present in the atom
Therefore, from the above discussion, we can conclude the fact that: the number of electrons present in the element will give us its atomic number.
Thus, an element having $22$ will have its atomic number - $22$

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option D.

Note:
The atomic number is denoted by the letter ‘Z’ and it is equal to the number of electrons in a neutral atom or the number of protons. Whereas the atomic mass of the element is denoted by the letter ‘A’ and is calculated by the number of protons $+$ the number of neutrons.