What fundamental characteristic do all atoms of the same element have in common?

a. Number of neutrons

b. Number of electrons

c. Mass number

d. Number of isotopes

e. Atomic number

The fundamental characteristic that all atoms of the same element share is the number of protons. All atoms of hydrogen have one and only one proton in the nucleus; all atoms of iron have 26 protons in the nucleus. This number of protons is so important to the identity of an atom that it is called the atomic number of the element. Thus, hydrogen has an atomic number of 1, while iron has an atomic number of 26. Each element has its own characteristic atomic number.

The answer is E