Question

the atomic number of the element is the same as the the number of _____. protons molecules neutrons

Explanation:

In chemistry (a subfield of Natural Science), the atomic number of an element is defined as the number of protons in the nucleus of its atom. Molecules are made of atoms and not related to atomic number in this way, and neutrons' number is related to mass number (atomic mass - atomic number) rather than atomic number itself. So the correct option is protons.

Answer:

A. protons