What is the atomic number of chlorine?

• A. 35
• B. 17
• C. 16
• D. 11

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the atomic number of an element is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of that element.
2. Recall that chlorine is a chemical element with the symbol Cl.
3. Look up the periodic table or recall from memory that chlorine has an atomic number of 17.
4. Note that the atomic number uniquely identifies the element and determines its position in the periodic table.
5. Therefore, the atomic number of chlorine is 17, which means it has 17 protons.