Each element has a unique atomic number from "summary" of The Periodic Table: A Very Short Introduction by Eric R. Scerri
The atomic number is the fundamental property that distinguishes one element from another. It is a whole number that represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of that element. Since protons have a positive charge, they determine the overall charge of the nucleus. The number of protons is also equal to the number of electrons in a neutral atom, as the positive charges of the protons are perfectly balanced by the negative charges of the electrons. In an element, the atomic number remains constant, regardless of the number of neutrons or electrons present. This means that the atomic number uniquely identifies each element in the periodic table. Elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number, which also corresponds to increasing proton number. For example, hydrogen has an atomic number of 1, indicating it has one proton in its nucleus, while helium has an atomic number of 2, signifying two protons. The concept of the atomi...
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