If the number of protons in an atom is equal to the number of electrons, then why is it necessary to say that the atomic number of an atom is equal to the number of electrons, not protons ?

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Solution

It is not necessary to say so.
You can define atomic number by any way in case of atoms as no. of protons is equal to the no. of electrons.
While in case of ions, it is necessary to define the atomic number as the number of protons only. This is because, in a particular ion of any atom, the number of protons remains the same but the number of electrons changes.

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Q. Which of the following statement is always correct?

(a) an atom has equal number of electrons and protons

(b) an atom has equal number of electrons and neutrons

(d) an atom has equal number of electrons, protons and neutrons

Q. Question 17
Which of the following statement is always correct?

(a) An atom has equal number of electrons and protons
(b) An atom has equal number of electrons and neutrons
(c) An atom has equal number of protons and neutrons
(d) An atom has equal number of electrons, protons and neutrons

Q. Atomic number of an element refers to the number of protons present in an atom of that element. If atomic number of Carbon (C) is 6, then find the number of protons and electrons in one atom of carbon.

Atomic number = number of protons and number of protons = number of electrons. So can we say that atomic number = number of electrons

Statement 1: Number of neutrons is always greater than or equal to the number of protons in any given atom except hydrogen.
Statement 2: Number of electrons is always equal to the number of protons in a neutral atom.

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