átómtegundir

Átómtegundir refers to the different types of atoms that exist, distinguished by their atomic number. The atomic number is defined by the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. Each unique atomic number corresponds to a distinct chemical element. For example, all atoms with one proton are hydrogen atoms, and all atoms with six protons are carbon atoms. This fundamental property dictates the element's chemical behavior and its position in the periodic table.

There are currently 118 recognized átómtegundir, with elements 1 through 94 occurring naturally on Earth. The elements beyond 94 are synthetic, meaning they are created in laboratories. While the number of protons defines the element, the number of neutrons can vary within a given átómtegund, resulting in isotopes. Isotopes of the same element have the same chemical properties but can differ in their physical properties, such as mass and radioactive decay. The concept of átómtegundir is central to chemistry and physics, forming the basis for understanding matter and its interactions.