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An oxygen (O) atom, which is a chemical element found on the periodic table, is defined by its atomic number. The atomic number of an element is a fundamental property that indicates the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of that element. For oxygen, the atomic number is 8.
An oxygen (O) atom, which is a chemical element found on the periodic table, is defined by its atomic number. The atomic number of an element is a fundamental property that indicates the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of that element. For oxygen, the atomic number is 8.
To determine the number of protons in an oxygen atom, you can simply refer to the atomic number of oxygen on the periodic table. Here is a step-by-step guide to finding this information:
1. Locate oxygen on the periodic table: Oxygen is typically found in group 16 (also known as the chalcogens group) and is the eighth element in the periodic table.
2. Identify the atomic number: The atomic number is usually displayed above the element symbol. For oxygen, the symbol is "O," and the atomic number is displayed as the number 8.
3. Understand the atomic number: The atomic number represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. Since the identity of an element is defined by its number of protons, every atom of oxygen will always have 8 protons.
Therefore, an oxygen atom contains 8 protons in its nucleus. This is a consistent and unchanging characteristic of oxygen, regardless of the isotope or the presence of neutrons and electrons in the atom.
To determine the number of protons in an oxygen atom, you can simply refer to the atomic number of oxygen on the periodic table. Here is a step-by-step guide to finding this information:
1. Locate oxygen on the periodic table: Oxygen is typically found in group 16 (also known as the chalcogens group) and is the eighth element in the periodic table.
2. Identify the atomic number: The atomic number is usually displayed above the element symbol. For oxygen, the symbol is "O," and the atomic number is displayed as the number 8.
3. Understand the atomic number: The atomic number represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. Since the identity of an element is defined by its number of protons, every atom of oxygen will always have 8 protons.
Therefore, an oxygen atom contains 8 protons in its nucleus. This is a consistent and unchanging characteristic of oxygen, regardless of the isotope or the presence of neutrons and electrons in the atom.
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