Question

What is the subatomic particle that determines the name of an atom?

Answer 1

The identity of the element is determined by the number of protons.........

Explanation:

The identity of the element is determined by the number of protons, which are positively charged, massive nuclear particles. The number of protons in a nucleus is given by `Z`, the atomic number.

For `Z=1`, the element is `H`; `Z=2`, the element is `He`; `Z=3`, the element is `Li`........................`Z=78`, the element is `Pt`. Of course, each atom may contain various numbers of neutrons, massive, neutrally charge nuclear particles; the which give rise to the existence of isotopes.