The atomic number of an element is more important to the chemist than its relative atomic mass. Why ?

Explanation

To answer the question "Why is the atomic number of an element more important to the chemist than its relative atomic mass?", we can break down the explanation into several key points:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Definition of Atomic Number**:
- The atomic number of an element is defined as the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. It is also equal to the number of electrons in a neutral atom.

2. **Role of Electrons in Chemical Properties**:
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