Dear @ Newgato

This discussion holds lots. Any way, In brief, mathematical descriptions in QM show that if we figure out the electron like subatomic particle we can understand the nature of atoms with lack of hundred percent assurance (I think a part of probability in QM regrades to that) .I didn't get what's you mean by 2nd question. experimentally we can see them due to the superposition of waves(wave packet)which make by elementary particles(this is the bizarre picture of nature!) .For more check:(Zeeman effect and or Stern-Gerlach experiments)

Mr. Chiro,

The answer to your question has been provided at about 100 years ago.

Hello Newgato,

the number of electrons in an atom (if not ionized) corresponds to the number of positive charges (protons) in the nucleus. The number of negative charges can be counted. But you cannot distinguish the different charges. You cannot give them a fix number.

An example: The hydrogen molecule contains two electrons, but these electrons are undistinguishable. Both electrons exchange their states. You can ionize the molecule to get an electron, but it is impossible to say wether you have the left or the right electron.

With Regards

R. Mitdank

Bazhdar Nouredine

Thank you for your answer, I really appreciate it.

However, the Stern-Gerlach experiments show that the angular momentum is quantized.

There were (to my knowledge) no importance given to the number of atoms or particles in those experiments.

My question is :

If you (Mr . Bazhdar Nouredine) were to be asked to find out the number of electrons of a given atom.

What experiment would you conduct ?

Thank you in advance

Dear Bojidarka B. Ivanova

Thank you for your answer,

Could you please elaborate a little more, on what was done, I hope you didn't mean R.A Millikan experiment.

thank you in advance.

The number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an atom can be determined from a set of simple rules.

• The number of protons in the nucleus of the atom is equal to the atomic number (Z).
• The number of electrons in a neutral atom is equal to the number of protons.
• The mass number of the atom (M) is equal to the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
• The number of neutrons is equal to the difference between the mass number of the atom (M) and the atomic number (Z).

To me, I prefer Rydberg experiment because the atomic properties are achieved from it based on spectrum.Meanwhile, spectrum corresponds to the cloud shells distributed around the nucleus (These shells basically made by wave-like electrons).