Atomic number
Explanationedit
Atomic number Z of a chemical element is the total number of protons inside the nucleus. All the elements in are identified with this number and are classified accordingly in the periodic table.
Frequently Asked Questionsedit
What is the maximum limit of the atomic number?edit
The atomic number is limited by the electrostatic repulsion of protons as it increases. The lighter and some heavier elements are stable because of the strong nuclear force between the neutrons and protons. When the nucleus gets bigger, the electrostatic repulsion weakens the strong nuclear force and makes it hard to accommodate anymore proton in the nucleus. The maximum limit remains as one of the unanswered questions in physics.