* Every nitrogen atom has 7 protons in its nucleus. Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom. The atomic number defines an element; all atoms with 7 protons are nitrogen atoms.

* A neutral nitrogen atom also has 7 electrons. Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus. In a neutral atom, the number of protons (positive charge) and electrons (negative charge) are equal.

Key takeaways:

* The atomic number is a fundamental property of an element, defining its identity.

* It directly corresponds to the number of protons in an atom's nucleus.

* It indirectly indicates the number of electrons in a neutral atom.

Hope this explanation is helpful!