The electron number cannot be used instead because electrons can be removed from or added to an atom (option C)
Why the electron number cannot be used instead?The element of an atom is determined by its proton count, while the electron count can exhibit variability. Take, for instance, a sodium atom, which encompasses 11 protons and 11 electrons. However, it has the capacity to relinquish one electron, transforming into a sodium ion housing only 10 electrons.
This occurs due to the relatively loose binding of electrons to the nucleus, enabling their removal through the influence of an electric field or alternative mechanisms.
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