Give the names and symbols for the following elements: (a) An element with atomic number 6 (b) An element with 18 protons in its nucleus (c) An element with 23 electrons

Key Concepts

Atomic Number

The atomic number of an element is the number of protons found in the nucleus of its atoms. It uniquely identifies an element and determines its position in the periodic table. For example, carbon has an atomic number of 6, meaning it has 6 protons.

Element Symbols

Each chemical element is represented by a unique one- or two-letter symbol, often derived from its English or Latin name. For instance, carbon is represented by 'C' and argon, which has 18 protons, is represented by 'Ar'. These symbols are used universally in chemical equations and formulas.

Electrons and Neutral Atoms

In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons, balancing the overall charge. Therefore, an element with 23 electrons must also have 23 protons, identifying it as vanadium, which has the atomic number 23. This relationship is crucial for understanding atomic structure and chemical behavior.