DC circuitsQuestion 528 of 1506

What decides which chemical element an atom is?

  1. The number of electrons it has gained
  2. The number of neutrons only
  3. The size of its outer shell
  4. The number of protons in its nucleus
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Correct answer: The number of protons in its nucleus

Change the number of protons and you change the element.

Source: Lessons in Electric Circuits I: DC (Kuphaldt), 1.1: Static Electricity

Practice dc circuits

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026