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Multiple Choice
How many protons are present in an atom of the element with atomic number 10?
A
10
B
20
C
12
D
8
Verified step by step guidance
1
Recall that the atomic number of an element is defined as the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of that element.
Identify the atomic number given in the problem, which is 10.
Understand that the number of protons in the atom is equal to the atomic number, so the number of protons is 10.
Note that the other numbers given (20, 12, 8) could represent other quantities such as mass number or number of neutrons, but they are not the number of protons.
Conclude that the atom with atomic number 10 has exactly 10 protons.