Meaning & use
atomic number 16
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Meaning
nounfixed phrasechemistry
The value that identifies sulfur: every atom of that element has sixteen protons in its nucleus.
Grammar: Used as a fixed phrase, usually with the or as: sulfur has atomic number 16.
Patterns
- the element with atomic number 16
- atomic number 16 on the periodic table
Sulfur is the element with atomic number 16.
On the periodic table, atomic number 16 sits between phosphorus and chlorine.
Any atom with atomic number 16 contains sixteen protons.
Common combinations
- element with atomic number 16
- The element with atomic number 16 forms yellow crystals.
- has atomic number 16
- Sulfur has atomic number 16 and the symbol S.
- atomic number 16 and mass number 32
- Common sulfur has atomic number 16 and mass number 32.
- group 16 element
- Oxygen and sulfur are both group 16 elements.
Synonyms and how they differ
- sulfur
- Sulfur is the element itself, while atomic number 16 is the number that identifies it.
- element S
- Element S names the same element by its symbol, which is shorter but less informative about its structure.
Word family
Commonly confused: atomic number 16 or mass number?
atomic number 16 vs mass number
The atomic number counts protons only, while the mass number counts protons plus neutrons.
Practice
Which element has atomic number 16?
Choose one answer.
Sulfur has sixteen protons. Phosphorus is 15, oxygen is 8 and chlorine is 17, so each of those is a tempting neighbor but wrong.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “atomic number 16”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.