How many protons are present in a hydrogen atom?

A hydrogen atom contains one proton. This fundamental property distinguishes hydrogen from other elements in the periodic table. The atomic number of an element, which corresponds to the number of protons in its nucleus, is a key characteristic that defines the element itself. Since hydrogen is the simplest and the first element on the periodic table, it has the atomic number 1, which means it has precisely one proton.

This single proton gives hydrogen its identity as the lightest element and contributes to its unique chemical behavior. Different isotopes of hydrogen, such as deuterium and tritium, contain additional neutrons, but they still retain the characteristic of having one proton.