What is the atomic number of both isotopes of nitrogen?

• A. 7
• B. 14
• C. 15
• D. 8

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that the atomic number of an element is the number of protons in the nucleus of its atoms. This number defines the element and is the same for all isotopes of that element.
2. Identify the element in question, which is nitrogen. The atomic number of nitrogen is a fixed value regardless of the isotope.
3. Understand that isotopes differ in the number of neutrons, not protons. Therefore, isotopes of nitrogen will have the same atomic number but different mass numbers.
4. Look up or recall the atomic number of nitrogen, which is 7. This means every nitrogen atom has 7 protons.
5. Conclude that both isotopes of nitrogen, such as nitrogen-14 and nitrogen-15, have an atomic number of 7.