What element has the atomic number 6?

The atomic number of an element is defined by the number of protons present in the nucleus of its atoms. For carbon, the atomic number is 6, which means that a carbon atom has 6 protons. This characteristic is fundamental to identifying an element on the periodic table. Each element has a unique atomic number that distinguishes it from all other elements.

In the case of carbon, it also has important biological significance as it is a key building block of life, forming the basis for organic compounds. While oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen are also essential elements in various biological and chemical processes, their atomic numbers are different: oxygen has an atomic number of 8, nitrogen has an atomic number of 7, and hydrogen has an atomic number of 1. This understanding is essential when studying the properties of elements, their placement in the periodic table, and their roles in various scientific contexts.