How to Determine Principal Factor of Properties of Elements & Atomic Structure

Atoms on the periodic table of elements are organized by their number of protons.

The principal factors in determining the properties of elements and their atomic structure is the number of protons in the atom's nucleus. The same element may have a different number of neutrons (known as isotopes) or electrons (known as ions). However, if the number of protons differ from one atom to another, they are not the same element.

Instructions

1. Determine the number of protons in the atom. Due to their extremely small size, this number is likely a given; protons cannot be observed by a normal microscope.

2. Look up the atom by the number of protons it has. Atoms on the periodic table of elements are organized by their atomic number -- the same as the number of protons.

3. Subtract the atomic number from the atomic mass to find the number of neutrons in a stable version of that atom. Electrically neutral versions of the atom will have the same number of electrons as protons.

References

• City University of New York: Atomic Structure