Question

What determines the type of element that an atom makes?

Answer 1

The number of protons, neutrons and electrons an atom has determines what element it is. Hydrogen, for example, has one proton, no neutrons and one electron; the element sulfur has 16 protons, 16 neutrons and 16 electrons.

Answer 2

Only the number of protons determine the type of atom. Elements can have more or less neutrons and electrons and still be the same general type of element.