No, atoms are atoms because they have a certain number of protons in their nucleus.
Ten reasons why atoms have protons in their nucleus:
1) All atoms have protons in their nucleus because they are the heaviest particles in an atom.
2) Protons are what give an atom its positive charge.
3) The number of protons in an atom’s nucleus determines what element the atom is.
4) The number of protons in an atom’s nucleus also determines how strong the atom’s nucleus is held together (termed “atomic number”).
5) The number of protons in an atom’s nucleus determines how many electrons the atom will have in its electron cloud.
6) The number of protons in an atom’s nucleus determines how easily the atom will lose or gain electrons.
7) The number of protons in an atom’s nucleus affects the atom’s size.
8) The number of protons in an atom’s nucleus determines the atom’s melting point.
9) The number of protons in an atom’s nucleus affects the atom’s boiling point.
10) The number of protons in an atom’s nucleus affects the atom’s density.
