Atomic number (Z)
the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. All atoms of the same element have the same atomic number, e.g., sodium atoms all contain 11 protons. In a neutral atom the number of electrons equals the atomic number.
Atomic theory
the assumption that matter is composed of particles called atoms and that these are the limit to which matter can be subdivided.
Atomic weight
the relative mass of an atom based on a scale in which a specific carbon atom (car-bon 12) is assigned a mass value of 12. Abbreviated as at. wt.


