Which of the following is the atomic number of an atom that has 12 protons and 12 neutrons?
A. 24
B. 1
C. 12
D. 144
The atomic number of an atom is defined as the number of protons in its nucleus. Protons are positively charged particles that make up part of the atomic mass, along with neutrons, which have no charge. The number of neutrons can vary for atoms of the same element, resulting in different isotopes. However, the number of protons is always constant for a given element. Therefore, to find the atomic number of an atom that has 12 protons and 12 neutrons, we only need to look at the number of protons.
Therefore, the Correct Answer is C.